Narcan in the workplace: How one small act can make a big difference

Opioids claimed the lives of an estimated 107,600 Americans in 2021, the CDC reported. Naloxone is a proven way to save the life of someone suffering from an opioid overdose. But it typically takes nearly 10 minutes for EMS to get to someone experiencing an overdose. Now Narcan—the nasal spray version of naloxone—is becoming more accessible, allowing employers to potentially save a coworker in distress.

Wider availability. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced that Narcan can be sold over the counter for the first time, the New York Times reported.

“Naloxone can mean the difference between life and death for someone experiencing an overdose and—as a city and a country—we have every reason to want people to have it in hand,” Ashwin Vasan, the health commissioner of New York City, told the NYT.

In the workplace. Employers have an important role to play in combating the opioid epidemic, according to experts. In 2020, nearly 400 people overdosed and died at work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and many employers feel they wouldn’t know how to handle an overdose emergency.

In places like Ontario, Canada, some businesses will be required to keep Narcan on site. While the US doesn’t have laws requiring employers to carry the drug, the CDC has encouraged workplaces to set up naloxone protocols since 2021. And the National Safety Council recommends that employers “establish workplace policies and procedures on responding to an opioid overdose with naloxone.”

Jessica Kriegel, chief scientist of workplace culture at Culture Partners, told HR Brew that employers need to remember that anyone can be an addict, and they may not know who’s dealing with substance use disorder. She recommends employers keep Narcan as part of their safety kit. “It’s just like having an epi pen,” she explained. “People may not have ever administered an epi pen, but it’s a simple process and it's there if you need it.”—KP