naloxone kits Archives - Muskoka411

Ontario Now Requires Naloxone Kits In At-Risk Workplaces

Muskoka411 Staff — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 15:51:05 +0000

TORONTO – The Ontario 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 to businesses around the province through Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program, while businesses may also obtain their own kits. In 2022, over 2,500 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario.

“Ontario is in the middle of an opioid epidemic, and every one of these deaths is preventable,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “From worksites to nightclubs, requiring naloxone kits in at-risk businesses will help us increase awareness for opioid addiction, reduce the stigma, and 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. 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.

“Ensuring that naloxone is free and easily accessible across the province is a critical part of our government’s strategy to reduce overdose deaths,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Everyone’s life has meaning, and naloxone gives people the second chance they deserve. This policy will save lives and make Ontario a safer place to work.”

Protection from liability available under the Good Samaritan Act would generally apply to a person who voluntarily administers naloxone at a workplace in response to an opioid overdose. Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s inspectors will be taking an education-first approach to enforcement.

These changes follow the ground-breaking protections introduced by the government in the Working for Workers Act, 2023, which includes fines for withholding passports, better protections for remote workers during mass terminations and cleaner and women’s-only washrooms on construction sites.

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Ontario Providing Free Naloxone Kits In Workplaces

News Room — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 01:47:50 +0000

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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Oro-Medonte Council Supports Availability Of Naloxone Kits In Township Facilities Open To The Public

Kelly Hart — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 23:10:30 +0000

During the April 13, 2022 Oro-Medonte Council meeting, Councillor Shawn Scott spoke to the opioid crisis, and initiated discussion with fellow Council members regarding the importance of community safety and well-being, and recommended the availability of naloxone kits within Township of Oro-Medonte facilities open to the public.

Naloxone hydrochloride is a fast-acting drug often delivered by a nasal spray used to temporarily reverse the effects of opioid drug overdoses or poisoning. Opioids are a group of drugs that includes morphine, heroin, methadone, fentanyl and oxycodone.

In 2019, initiated by Councillor Scott, Oro-Medonte Council was provided with video training regarding administration of naloxone hydrochloride, and encouraged to have access to naloxone kits.

Taking into consideration the consistent increase of opioid related medical emergencies in Simcoe County, inclusive of two cities, Township Council unanimously supported availability of naloxone kits in Township facilities open to the public, complemented by a social media campaign, and information on the Township’s website. Each Township facility open to the public will have two (2) naloxone kits, providing four (4) doses of naloxone hydrochloride.

Recognizing the tragedies associated with opioid overdoses and poisonings, the Provincial Government recently passed Bill 88 which includes changes to the Occupational Health & Safety Act regarding the availability of naloxone kits in workplaces, and providing training for employees to administer naloxone hydrochloride.

Councillor Shawn Scott commented that “in the past, an overdose was attributed to excessive drug use, but with the availability of fentanyl, it has become drug poisoning. The stigma of overdoses being directly related to societal perception of a drug addict, continues to hamper the ability to help people impacted by the devastation of opioid misuse and addiction – these people can be our children, brothers, sisters, friends and parents.”

Craighurst Guardian Pharmacy located at 2054 Horseshoe Valley Road West has offered their assistance to supply interested community members with naloxone kits, and education regarding naloxone hydrochloride.

Mayor Harry Hughes commented that “Council recognizes the serious and significant health impacts of excessive opioid use. We are taking proactive steps to ensure availability of naloxone kits in Township facilities open to the public.”

Members of the public are reminded to call 911 in the event of a medical emergency and are encouraged to learn more about naloxone hydrochloride and naloxone kits, offered free of charge at many Ontario pharmacies, by visiting: ontario.ca/page/get-naloxone-kits-free.

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