Opioids Are on the Radar and Employers Are Taking Action!

The opioid crisis is not just a public health issue. It is a workplace issue too. Employers are seeing how substance use affects overall workplace productivity, and HR and safety managers are now focusing on how they can help employees that overdoses at work without affecting the whole team.

Below are real case studies of what they did, what changed, and how those lessons apply to your business today.

Stocking Narcan in the Workplace

Amazon added naloxone, also known as Narcan, to over 250 of its warehouse locations. The medication can reverse an opioid overdose. No incidents had occurred on-site. But Amazon made the decision to be prepared anyway. Managers and workplace health teams were trained to recognize signs of overdose and respond quickly.

This is a clear example of being proactive rather than reactive. Whether you run a warehouse or a logistics company, stocking Narcan is a small step that can have a big impact.

What We Can Learn from Other Case Studies

The U.S. Department of Labor and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences both highlighted several employer-led strategies that are already in use:

1. Second-Chance Hiring After a Failed Drug Test

Electronics company Belden launched a program called Pathways to Employment. Instead of disqualifying applicants who failed a pre-employment drug test, Belden offered them the option to enter a treatment program. If they completed it, they could reapply.

2. Peer Advocates on the Job

The NIH workplace report recommends developing peer advocate programs. These are workers in recovery who are trained to support others. When employees know someone “gets it,” they’re more likely to ask for help.

3. Changing the Culture of Punishment

Many workplaces still use zero-tolerance policies, which can keep struggling employees silent. The same report suggests removing policies that make people afraid to come forward. Alternative-to-discipline models help keep workers employed while they go through treatment and recovery.

4. Construction Industry-Specific Training

In Rhode Island, a grant-funded group called Building Futures created opioid education tools for the construction sector. These included “Toolbox Talks” that cover overdose response, talking to coworkers, and safe use of medication, all in quick, five-minute segments.

5. Recovery-Friendly Workplace Programs

States like New Hampshire and Rhode Island developed formal initiatives that recognize employers who offer training, safe messaging, flexible policies, and active support for recovery. These programs help reduce stigma and give employees a pathway forward.

What Does This Mean? How Does This Help Us?

Whether you manage a warehouse in Boise, a crew in Caldwell, or a service team in Nampa, the opioid crisis is already part of your world. Injuries, chronic pain, and stress can all open the door to prescription misuse.

Waiting for an incident is no longer a strategy. These case studies show that practical steps like stocking naloxone, reviewing your policy, or offering peer-based support can make a difference.

How Fastest Labs of Boise Can Support You

At Fastest Labs of Boise, we work closely with HR and safety professionals who want to take action without overcomplicating the process. We’re local, fast, and ready to support whatever next step your workplace needs.

We can help you:

• Set up or manage your random drug testing program.
   
• Respond quickly to post-accident or reasonable suspicion events with mobile testing.
   
• Select the right test panels, including expanded opioid panels.
   
• Review and modernize your drug and alcohol policy.
   
• Train supervisors on how to handle workplace drug testing with professionalism and clarity.
   

We’re here in the Treasure Valley, working alongside businesses that care about their people and their policies. If you’re ready to strengthen your response, we’re ready to help.

Call us today at (208) 408-8197
Visit: www.fastestlabs.com/boise

Sources:

Amazon to Stock Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug Narcan at Its Warehouses. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/business/amazon-to-stock-opioid-overdose-reversal-drug-narcan-at-its-warehouses-2ea8d831
 

The Role of the Workforce System in Addressing the Opioid Crisis. U.S. Department of Labor, Chief Evaluation Office. Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/publications/ETAOP2021-33_Workforce_Opioids_Resource_Guide_2021.pdf
 

Opioids and the Workplace. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/public/hasl_get_blob.cfm?ID=11582&file_name=Opioids_Workplace_Action_100219_final_508.pdf