A new study found that construction workers and miners were the most likely professions to use non-prescription opioids when compared with other professions. They were also more likely to use cocaine.
About the Study
Researchers from the NYU College of Global Public Health and the study’s lead analyzed nearly a decade’s worth of federal drug use data. This included surveys about how often various workers used non-prescription opioids, cocaine and marijuana. Researchers were able to determine which professions most corresponded with use of these three types of drugs.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse supported the research. The study was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Statistics on Drug Use
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than 10 million Americans misused prescription opioids in 2018. This represents more than 130 deaths every day from opioid overdoses.
Researchers found that more than 3% of the workers employed in the construction and mining and extraction industries had used non-prescription opioids during the past month, compared to 2% of workers in other industries.
Reasons for Higher Drug Use in These Professions
Approximately 7.5 million people work in the construction and mining and extraction industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most of the workers are male and most earn less than $50,000 a year.
The construction industry is often cited as the most dangerous, typically resulting in the highest number of workplace fatalities and injuries every year. The study’s lead author believes that some of the illicit drug use may stem from the high number of work-related injuries in this field. The drugs are often prescribed to these workers after they are injured. However, once the workers become dependent on them or time from the initial injury has lapsed, doctors may refuse to prescribe more of these heavily addictive pills. The workers may then turn to non-prescription opioids, especially if they are still experiencing pain and want to alleviate it.
Additionally, low pay and job insecurity such as variable hours and income may impact the rate of drug use. The study showed that construction workers and those in the mining and extraction field who had more precarious employment were more likely to report drug use. When workers reported that they missed three or four days of work a month due to injury or illness, there was more likely to be a higher incidence of the use of non-prescription opioids.
The study did not make any conclusions on whether drug use caused more work injuries or if workers in these professions used drugs to lessen the pain caused by their physical conditions. Additionally, researchers did not investigate whether drug use occurred during work hours.
Help for Accident Victims
If a worker is under the influence of drugs, regardless of which industry he or she works in, there is a higher likelihood that an innocent bystander can be injured. However, since construction workers often work with heavy machinery and at great heights, impaired behavior can result in catastrophic injuries in the workplace.
Employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment and to be careful about who they hire. Drug testing on the job is often required as a way to ensure the safety of those in the workplace. However, if a worker is impaired and causes injury to another, the employer may be held legally responsible for the injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer can discuss your rights and legal options during a free case review. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
