High 5 Hospitality lauded for substance abuse training achievement
The Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health presented the Gold Restaurant Accolade Program Award to High 5 Hospitality Jan. 30 at its new Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Milford.
The Restaurant Accolade Program has successfully trained 124 restaurants to recognize and respond to an overdose, making these restaurants bronze-level awardees. A total of 33 restaurants have identified staff members who are willing to link staff to local treatment and harm reduction resources in Delaware, making them silver-level awardees.
High 5 Hospitality is the first restaurant group to achieve the gold level award by putting into place policies and procedures to support staff who struggle with substance use, training staff to recognize and respond to an overdose, and providing local resources to those who may need them.
“We are proud of our leaders and team members for being the first hospitality group to achieve the Gold level status,” said Lori Ewald, High 5 Hospitality director of human resources and marketing. “This training has helped our team members gain an increased awareness of the opioid crisis and provided them with tools to save a life. When people ask why we participate in this program, my response is simple. Why wouldn't we?”
Restaurants are one of the industries whose workforce has historically had a high incidence of overdose. In Delaware, 549 restaurant staff members have been trained to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Staff and restaurants were given Narcan kits to use and keep on site.
“We congratulate High 5 Hospitality on being the first group to reach our gold status,” said Frances Marti, DSAMH deputy director. “It is vital to meet individuals in the communities and spaces where they live, work, and play and we appreciate all the restaurants that have partnered with us in this program. This program is very important to providing support to restaurants and their patrons and staff in our fight to combat overdoses and addiction.”
Restaurant representatives interested in scheduling training or learning more may email anne.carr@delaware.gov.
For more information and help, individuals or loved ones who are struggling with addiction in Delaware can call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In Sussex and Kent counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction and crisis services, call the Delaware Hope Line at 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, go to HelpIsHereDE.com.
