Purple Ribbon Overdose Awareness Day
on August 26, 2026
By Greta Walsh, Consultant

By Greta Walsh, Consultant

International Overdose Awareness Day: What Employers Can Do to Help Prevent the Next Tragedy

This information is provided for educational purposes only. Reader retains full responsibility for the use of the information contained herein.

 

Every year on August 31, communities around the world observe International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), the world’s largest campaign dedicated to preventing drug overdose, reducing stigma, remembering those who have died, and supporting the families, friends, and coworkers left behind. This year’s theme, “25 Years On. Still Needed,” reminds us that while progress has been made, overdose continues to affect individuals, families, workplaces, and communities across the globe.

For employers, International Overdose Awareness Day is more than a public health observance. It is an opportunity to evaluate whether workplace policies, supervisor training, employee education, and drug testing programs are helping create a safer and healthier work environment.

Overdose Is a Workplace Issue

Drug overdose does not only affect people outside the workplace. Employees, coworkers, supervisors, and even customers may all be impacted directly or indirectly by substance use disorders and overdose.

An overdose can result from illicit drugs such as fentanyl or heroin, misuse of prescription opioids, counterfeit pills containing illegally manufactured fentanyl, or combinations of multiple substances. Today’s drug landscape is increasingly unpredictable, making education and prevention more important than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overdose remains one of the nation’s most significant public health challenges, although recent data show encouraging signs that overdose deaths have begun to decline.

Workplace Safety Begins Before an Emergency

Many employers associate overdose prevention solely with naloxone or emergency response. While those measures are important, preventing impairment before an emergency occurs should remain the primary goal.

An effective workplace drug and alcohol program helps reduce risk by establishing clear expectations, identifying safety concerns early, and providing employees with access to assistance before a crisis develops.

A comprehensive program should include:

Supervisors Play a Critical Role

Supervisors are often the first to notice changes in an employee’s behavior or performance.

Training should focus on recognizing objective indicators of possible impairment, including:

  • Confusion or unusual behavior
  • Slowed reaction time
  • Poor coordination
  • Excessive drowsiness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Unsafe work practices

Supervisors should never attempt to diagnose substance use disorders or determine what drug an employee may have used. Their responsibility is to document observable facts and follow established company procedures.

Drug Testing Is Only One Part of the Solution

Drug testing remains an important workplace safety tool, but it is not a complete overdose prevention strategy.

Employers should also:

  • Encourage employees to seek help before problems escalate.
  • Promote available treatment and recovery resources.
  • Maintain clear fitness-for-duty expectations.
  • Regularly review workplace policies to ensure they reflect current federal regulations and applicable state laws.
  • Foster a workplace culture that encourages employees to report safety concerns without fear of retaliation.

An effective program balances accountability with compassion.

Should Employers Consider Naloxone?

An increasing number of organizations, particularly those operating in higher-risk industries, are choosing to stock naloxone, the medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

Industries such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, warehousing, public safety, and healthcare may face a greater likelihood of encountering an opioid overdose because of the nature of their workforce or work environment.

While naloxone should never replace prevention efforts, employers may wish to evaluate whether it should become part of their workplace emergency response plan. The CDC and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) both provide guidance on overdose prevention and the appropriate use of naloxone.

International Overdose Awareness Day Is a Time to Reflect and Prepare

International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that overdose affects every community, including our workplaces. It is also a reminder that prevention requires more than emergency response. It requires education, preparation, and a commitment to workplace safety.

Now is an excellent time for employers to ask:

  • Is our drug and alcohol policy current?
  • Have our supervisors received reasonable suspicion training?
  • Do employees know where to seek help if they or a coworker are struggling?
  • Have we reviewed our workplace emergency response procedures?
  • Are we prepared to address today’s evolving drug landscape?

By taking a proactive approach, employers can strengthen workplace safety, support employee well-being, and potentially save lives.

 

Current Consulting Group helps employers develop comprehensive drug and alcohol testing policies, navigate changing state and federal requirements, train supervisors, and build workplace drug-free workplace programs that promote both compliance and safety.

Do you have questions? Contact the Current Consulting Group at: info@currentconsultinggroup.com.

 

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