November Member Meeting

Join us virtually or in-person for our November Member Meeting where David Shapiro, Assistant Director of Programs and Partnerships, Colorado School of Public Health and Heather Guiterrez, Director of Safety, JHL Constructors will speak on addiction and Naloxone in the workplace.

Presentation Summary:

This presentation offers a fresh, science-based perspective on addiction by exploring how substances like drugs and alcohol directly affect the brain. It delves into the development of addiction as a chronic disease, not a moral failing, and introduces the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and heal. Through treatment and recovery, individuals can literally rewire their brains, offering hope and a path forward. This understanding shifts the conversation from stigma to science, empowering both individuals and communities with knowledge that can change lives.

This training will also focus on policies and procedures that should be in place at any organization when hosting Naloxone (Narcan) in the workplace. Issues addressed during the training include liability and other legal issues, recording and documenting trainings and incidents while protecting the privacy of individuals, defining clear roles and responsibilities for responders to a suspected opioid overdose, and building an Opioid Overdose Response Plan.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Discuss how the brain is affected from substances such as drugs and alcohol
2. Explain how the disease of addiction develops
3. Explain brain neuroplasticity and how through treatment and recovery the brain can change/reset
4. Recognize the signs of an overdose emergency and how to use Naloxone (Narcan) as a life-saving measure
5. Understand how overdose response is part of emergency response and your organization’s commitment to safety
6. Discuss policies, practices, and programs relevant to overdose response in the workplace

Speaker Bios: 

Heather Strong Gutierrez is a passionate safety professional with a deep personal connection to the realities of substance use disorder. Drawing from firsthand experience, she champions workplace policies that support harm reduction, including the availability of naloxone and education around fentanyl risks. As a certified Narcan administrator trainer, Heather empowers teams with life-saving knowledge and tools. Her advocacy for Total Worker Health reflects a holistic commitment to safety—one that prioritizes physical, mental, and emotional well-being across all levels of the workforce.

David Shapiro is assistant director of programs and partnerships at the Center for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE). In this role, he oversees CHWE’s signature public health outreach programs, Health Links® and the Colorado Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative®. David consults with organizations, sharing resources and recommendations to help them implement the Total Worker Health® approach and support worker health, safety, and well-being. David also develops and manages workplace training on workplace mental health, chronic disease prevention and management, and family-friendly workplaces. A proud father of three, David is a lifelong learner and relationship builder. His hobbies include tennis, hiking, reading, and travel.

This meeting is sponsored by JHL Constructors. THANK YOU!

Agenda: 

11:30am-11:45am: Welcome, Network, Lunch

11:45am-12:00pm: Chapter Updates

12:00pm-1:00pm: Presentation

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82116725551?pwd=NaFuY3TCOWRli6qe2ffBnv5a4aDVvg.1