The increasing number of overdose deaths in the workplace is a critical issue that demands attention. In response, the National Safety Council (NSC) has introduced its Respond Ready Workplace program, aiming to reduce workplace overdose fatalities.
This initiative comes at a crucial time as American workplaces are beginning to understand the depth of this problem and the need to address it effectively.
According to NSC analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, unintentional overdose deaths in the workplace from non-medical use of drugs or alcohol increased by 536 percent between 2011 and 2021, with 464 deaths in 2021 alone. This represents nearly one in eleven worker deaths.
Tags: Drug-Free Workplace Harm Reduction Programs
