Workplaces such as bars, nightclubs, and construction sites across Ontario will soon be equipped with life-saving Naloxone kits to help prevent opioid-related deaths.
The province is launching a program to provide free naloxone kits and training to workplaces where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose.
Of the workers who died from opioid-related causes last year, 30 per cent were employed in construction – by far the most impacted industry. Bars and nightclubs have also seen increased opioid usage and accidental overdoses, often because of recreational drugs laced with deadly opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil.
“Workers and establishments are protected under the Good Samaritan Act as well as the Human Rights Code, we’ll make sure they’re protected for doing the right thing and trying to save lives,” Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton said during a news conference Wednesday morning. “Ultimately, this initiative is going to save lives.”
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, restore breathing within two to five minutes, and allow time for medical help to arrive.
Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, says it starts with education and reducing the stigma attached to drug use.
“An addiction is not a bad person and someone who needs help to become a good person, it’s a chronic illness, it’s a chronic brain disease that needs to be addressed as an illness. Naloxone is one of those opportunities for us to find out and have the individual understand that there is a problem and there is help for you.”
For up to two years, Ontario will provide free nasal spray naloxone kits to businesses at risk of opioid overdoses through the Workplace Naloxone Program and free training needed to equip staff with the tools to respond to an opioid overdose.
Businesses can determine if they are eligible for the program and find additional information on accessing naloxone kits and training at Ontario.ca/workplacenaloxone. Once the requirement is in effect on June 1, 2023, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s inspectors will take an education-first approach to enforcement.
According to government statistics, 2,819 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario in 2021, the highest number on record.
On Tuesday, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit issued an opioid and substance use alert, citing 11 opioid overdoses between December 5th and the 11th, six of those involving fentanyl.