Ontario Now Requires Naloxone Kits in At-Risk Workplaces

The provincial government is now requiring at-risk employers to ensure their workplaces have a life-saving naloxone kit on hand and workers trained on how to use them.

As of April, more than 1,000 free nasal spray naloxone kits have been distributed through Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program.

Like the rest of Canada, Ontario is in the middle of an opioid epidemic made worse by a toxic supply of recreational street drugs. In 2022, over 2,500 people died from opioid-related causes in our province.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, restore breathing within 2-5 minutes, and allow time for medical help to arrive.

Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program is the first of its kind in North America and provides at-risk employers with access to free training for up to two workers and one nasal spray naloxone kit for each eligible workplace.

This government is working for workers to raise awareness about opioid addiction, reduce the stigma and save lives.

Employers can obtain additional information on how to access free naloxone training and kits from the Canadian Red Cross and St. John Ambulance.

Businesses can determine if they are eligible for the program and training at Ontario.ca/workplacenaloxone.

Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003121/ontario-now-requires-naloxone-kits-in-at-risk-workplaces