Naloxone Kits require in Workplaces by June 1, 2023
Businesses are concerned about their Liability
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO ~~~~ December 26, 2022 (LSNews) On December 14, 2022, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government is the first in North America to require naloxone kits be accessible in at-risk workplaces by June 1, 2023, to raise awareness for those struggling with addiction, reduce stigma and save lives.”
In 2021, 2,819 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario – the highest number on record and up from 366 in 2003. 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.
This is a crimeal problem. Not a health problem that is being pushed upon local businesses, corner stores, coffee shops, shopping centres, and construction companies.
Workers are trained on how to use Naloxone Kits.
If they are not successful in reviving the Illegal Drug User can the worker be held liable or the Local Business Suited or Charged?
Will the Drug Users family be allowed to Sue the Worker or the business forcing legal liability and costs onto workers and businesses?
Using illegal drugs is a crime, not an illness as pushed by the pro-drug social workers.
It appears that the Liability is being shifted from the Crime Drug Dealer to the Business Owner and his/her employees
Their fears are heightened by the Heavy Handed Actions of the Health Units during the Covid Lockdown when again the local businesses were targeted.
Instead of spending money supporting Toronto Drug Dealers in our Northern Communities, use the money to capture and lock away the people causing the Drug Deaths
Media Reports Canadian Press
Algoma and Sudbury districts share the second-highest number of opioid related deaths per-capita, behind Thunder Bay, which sits at number one.
The latest stats on opioid mortality rates in both districts sit at 50 deaths per 100,000 people, which is far above the provincial average of 19.7. People aged 30 to 59 remain the most affected.
Northern Ontario remains the hardest hit by opioid deaths, with Thunder Bay having the worst mortality rate in the province at 42.4 deaths per 100,000 people, nearly five times the provincial average.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Nov. 24, 2022.
Full media Ontario Release December 14, 2022
The Ontario government is launching a first-of-its-kind program to make free naloxone kits (and free training) available at workplaces where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose.
In 2021, 2,819 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario – the highest number on record and up from 366 in 2003. 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.
“Ontario, like the rest of Canada, is in the middle of an opioid epidemic made worse by a toxic supply of recreational street drugs,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government is the first in North America to require naloxone kits be accessible in at-risk workplaces by June 1, 2023, to raise awareness for those struggling with addition, reduce stigma and save lives.”
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.
“Our new Workplace Naloxone Program, as part of our Narcotic Transition Services, will save lives,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Everyone in Ontario deserves access to these kits, and this innovative program will bring a new level of safety to our province’s workplaces.”
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, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s inspectors will take an education-first approach to enforcement.
Quick Facts:
- On June 1, 2023, at-risk employers will be required by legislation to ensure their workplaces have life-saving naloxone kits and workers are trained on how to use them.
- This includes employers who become aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, that there may be a risk of an opioid overdose in their workplace, i.e., if a worker discloses an opioid use issue, if needles or other opioid paraphernalia are found at the workplace, or if they are otherwise given information that would lead them to reasonably conclude there is a risk of an overdose in the workplace.
- Businesses with questions about their responsibilities under the legislation can visit Ontario.ca/workplacenaloxone.
- For up to two years, the Workplace Naloxone Program provides at-risk employers with access to free training for up to two workers and one nasal spray naloxone kit for each eligible workplace.
- Separately, individuals can also contact their local pharmacy to receive a naloxone kit.
- To protect the health and safety of workers in Ontario, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has hired over 100 new inspectors to build the largest workplace inspectorate in the province’s history and increased occupational health and safety fines to the highest level in the country.
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