Job hazards lead to more opioid use

Workers in the construction industry are most likely to use cocaine and misuse prescription opioids compared with other employees, according to a study published last week by the Center for Drug Use and HIV/ HCV Research at the New York University College of Global Public Health.

This is due to the high injury and fatality rates that result from falls, overexertion and being struck by or caught in heavy machinery.

The high rates of injuries and laborintensive work can lead to treatment or self- treatment with pain medication.

The study found that 12.5% of construction workers used marijuana, compared with 7.5% of all other workers. The analysis was based on a surveys of 293,492 employees from 2005 to 2014.

Construction workers also had the second- highest rate of marijuana usage after employees in service jobs.

Investigators took workplace drug policies into consideration. They found that stricter policies were linked with less marijuana use.

“Coupled with reports of high overdose mortality among construction workers, our findings suggest that prevention and harm reduction programming is needed to prevent drug- related risks and mortality among this population,” said Danielle Ompad, lead author of the study and associate professor of epidemiology at NYU College of Global Public Health.

ELISE AMENDOLA/ AP A study published last week found workers in the construction industry are most likely to misuse opioids because of a high rate of injury.