Mass. construction industry working to tackle substance abuse

In February, Boston 25 News reported construction workers have the highest rate of opioid abuse among American workers.

Now, the construction industry in Boston is tackling the problem head-on.

Construction workers are dying of opioid overdoses at rates up to six times higher than everyone else, so eight different unions are teaming up for a weeklong training session in Boston to combat substance abuse and improve mental health.

"Unfortunately, in today's society with the availability of drugs and alcohol, especially with the drugs today, the fentanyl that's coming here, it's a life or death matter," said Paul Greeley, director of Carpenters Assistance Program.

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Nearly three dozen construction workers representing eight different unions in the Boston area are spending the week at the Carpenters Union headquarters in Dorchester.

They are there to learn about substance abuse and mental health issues. The goal is to take it back to the job to help coworkers in need.

"Some of these kids are talented people. People with addiction it's not about good or bad people, it's about mental illness and substance abuse issues. We feel if we change one person's life make a huge difference out there," said Joe Byrne, Carpenters Local 327.

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Their profession employs some of the toughest workers for some of the toughest jobs, but it also comes with a tough reality. According to a report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, construction workers represented roughly 25% of fatal opioid overdoses among Mass. workers from 2011 to 2015.

"People used to say hope is for young people, now hope is for everybody we're trying to put families back together, we're giving them the hope that maybe this time might be different," said Greeley.

Their message - don't be afraid or ashamed if you or a coworker has a problem because silence kills.

For help, you can call the Carpenters Assistance Program at 1-800-344-1515.

All construction workers in the weeklong program will earn a college-accredited certification.

Cox Media Group