The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) has joined over 250 companies, universities, labor groups and other organizations in a national effort to reduce drug overdose deaths. The White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose is a nationwide call-to-action to increase training on and access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal drugs like naloxone (sold under the brand name Narcan).
In recent years, the country has seen an upward spiral of opioid overdose deaths, although that number is beginning to decline. In 2022, the CDC reported roughly 84,000 overdose deaths involving opioids. In 2023, that number fell to 81,000. Researchers are still unsure why the shift is happening, but speculate that increased access to naloxone and other harm reduction measures might be contributing factors.
What we do know, however, is that construction workers are seven times more likely to die of opioid-related overdoses than the average worker. And an overdose can happen anywhere, including on the jobsite. That’s why this fall, the Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America (LHSFNA) proposed that LIUNA sign onto the White House’s challenge and pledge to train employees on opioid reversal medications, keep the medications in first-aid kits and distribute medications to employees so they might save a life elsewhere.
“LIUNA is committed to the core principles and requirements of this challenge and has been carrying them out for years,” said LIUNA General President and LHSFNA Labor Co-Chair Brent Booker. “Formally signing onto the challenge is another way we’re showing our commitment to the health and safety of LIUNA members, their families and affiliates.”
The LHSFNA supports the storage and use of naloxone on construction jobsites and provides comprehensive safety and health information around opioid use and abuse. In addition to developing and distributing a variety of pamphlets, fact sheets, articles and other resources on opioids and other drugs, Fund staff also assist employers in developing drug-free workplace policies, providing employee and supervisor drug-free workplace training and materials, help LIUNA health and welfare funds implement employee assistance programs and stay up-to-date on the latest information regarding substance use disorder prevalence, treatment and recovery.
For instance, the LHSFNA’s Health Promotion Director Jamie Becker recently attended the CPWR: The Center for Construction Research and Training’s workshop Naloxone in the Workplace. The program brought together construction employers, union members, human resource professionals, safety professionals and more industry representatives to discuss current regional initiatives to address opioids in the workplace, naloxone training in the field, combating opioid and recovery stigma and cultivating recovery-friendly workplaces.
One noteworthy topic was how jobsite leaders can make workplaces more supportive of people in recovery. Becker explained that stigma is one of the biggest barriers to someone seeking help, and that while we’re seeing improvements, stigma is still higher around addiction compared to other behavioral health issues. In the training, participants discussed the role naloxone could play in helping to reduce that stigma and connect people to the help they need.
“By treating naloxone as part of a ‘normal’ first-aid kit, we communicate that this is part of health and safety,” said Becker. “Overdose can happen anywhere, and it’s important to be realistic and equipped with the tools to save a life and the resources to help get that person back on track.”
While we can certainly celebrate the positive changes we’re seeing, Becker reminds us that we still have a long way to go in the fight against overdose deaths. In addition to the services already offered, the Fund is set to launch LEAN LIUNA, an organization-wide peer support initiative designed to help LIUNA members facing all types of adversity.
Employers and affiliates can do their part by familiarizing themselves with the resources available to those struggling with substance use disorders, providing training and access to naloxone on the job and promoting a safe and supportive work environment. For more information, check out our resources:
[Hannah Sabitoni]
