Amazon has announced the implementation of a Naloxone program as part of its emergency response procedures. According to a news release dated September 27, the company will stock Naloxone at its operational sites in North America to address the rising opioid overdose crisis.

Opioid overdoses have increased by more than 600% in the United States since 2011. To combat this, Amazon is introducing Naloxone across its operations facilities in two phases. The first phase will focus on equipping densely populated fulfillment centers with the medication, with plans to expand to all U.S. sites by early 2025. Employees will also receive training to recognize opioid overdoses and administer Naloxone effectively.

"While we hope we never need to use them, proactive measures like this have the potential to save lives, and we’re proud to be investing in them," said Sarah Rhoads, vice president of Workplace Health and Safety at Amazon. "Our employees’ safety is our top priority, which is why we’re taking the industry-leading step of providing access to naloxone."

Rhoads further said that being prepared for any potential medical emergency is part of Amazon's commitment to creating a safe workplace environment.

In addition to the Naloxone initiative, Amazon provides support for employees and their families affected by substance abuse through Pelago, a digital clinic offering personalized treatment and support. Pelago’s services include a physician-led program for opioid, alcohol, and tobacco use and various health goal tracking tools.

Amazon operates under four guiding principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. The company aims to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work.