The United States is experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic. In 2023, there were over 100,000 fatal drug overdoses, the majority involving opioids. In Oregon and Washington, opioids account for an overwhelming majority of fatal drug overdoses. Unfortunately, the construction industry is not immune to the devastating and ongoing impact of the opioid epidemic.
This toolbox talk addresses why the construction industry is particularly at risk and how we can help reduce overdoses, especially as they relate to suicide.
Opioids In Construction
Recent data indicates that construction workers have one of the highest rates of opioid overdoses. They are also 20% more likely than the general public to receive opioid prescriptions, often for stronger opioids. Why is this the case? The construction industry is labor-intensive by nature, and hard physical labor often leads to chronic pain. With the pressure to meet deadlines and stay within budget, workers may not have the time to take off for proper healing and care. Opioids can help workers manage chronic pain and remain on the job, but this comes with the risk of addiction, potential overdose, and an increased risk of suicide.’
What You Can Do
How can we address this issue? One of the first steps is understanding the alternatives to opioids for pain management. There are a variety of pain management therapies available for individuals seeking non-narcotic options. Studies also show that medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other non-narcotic treatments can be more effective than opioids for managing pain.
Additionally, knowing about naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) can help reverse an overdose and save lives. It’s crucial to understand what naloxone is, where to obtain it, and how to use it.
Check out the resources below for more information about naloxone, how to administer it, and how to obtain it for free:
Next Distro https://nextdistro.org/
Next Distro is an online and mail-based harm reduction service designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths, prevent injection-related disease transmission, and improve the lives of people who use drugs. This site provides state-specific resources about accessing naloxone.
Safe Project https://www.safeproject.us/
SAFE Project is committed to helping people who are impacted by substance use and mental health challenges, including those who work to make programs and resources more readily available and easily accessible. Their site also includes training on administering naloxone.
Listen to the mini-podcast here
Watch our Video Toolbox Talk Here
