Arizona employers prioritize workplace safety through heat illness prevention, CPR training and AED availability. However, many organizations lack naloxone — a critical tool that could save lives during opioid overdoses.
Opioid use disorder affects workplaces across construction, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and professional services. Employees may experience overdoses at work, have at-risk family members, or witness emergencies involving customers or visitors.
Naloxone nasal spray requires no medical training and can be administered by bystanders to reverse opioid overdoses within minutes. It is a safe, non-addictive medication that reverses opioid overdoses and produces no harmful effects if opioids aren’t involved.
Employers should stock naloxone alongside first aid kits and AEDs. Arizona’s Good Samaritan laws protect those who administer it in good faith. Beyond legal protection, naloxone access demonstrates organizational values, supports employee wellbeing and aligns with ESG goals.
The Opioid Business Toolkit provides free resources, including naloxone implementation guidance, overdose response procedures, manager education and connections to Arizona treatment resources. Organizations are encouraged to normalize conversations around recovery while preparing staff through training and clear policies.