NYC Building & Construction Industry Campaign To Combat Fentanyl-Opiod Crisis

New York, NY – On February 11, 2025 at the annual Education & Training Awards breakfast on February 11, 2025, the NYC Building & Construction Industry Safety Fund announced an important program addressing the fentanyl-opioid crisis.

“Our industry is not immune to the problems and crises that society faces” said Gary LaBarbera, co-chairman of the Safety Fund and President of the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “Workers in construction have the highest drug overdose death rate compared to other industries. No one is exempt from this plague, and as leaders of the organized sector of the construction industry it falls upon us to act,” LaBarbera added.

“In meeting with all the stake holders in our industry, contractors, union leaders and members, safety experts, as well as health care and medical professionals, it became apparent that we needed to act,” said John O’Hare, Safety Fund co-chairman and Managing Director of the Building Contractors Association of New York. “To that end we are pleased to announce an education program – HOPE/LIVES, with the goal of placing a NARCAN^® Nasal Spray emergency kit on every job site.  Additionally, every construction worker, contractor and staff will receive a kit that includes NARCAN^® Nasal Spray, along with training on its use and the necessary information and items needed in case of an emergency.”

“Our industry has a long history of working together to protect the health and safety of our workforce,” said O’Hare. “Proper use if hardhats, harnesses and protective gear can only shield us from physical harm.  NARCAN^® Nasal Spray, along with proper education can help save lives from the often-invisible danger of opioid misuse.”

The HOPE/LIVES campaign includes job-site visits, where workers on the job site will receive a brief explanation of the dangers of fentanyl/opioid misuse, the warning signs and the immediate steps needed to take, in case of an emergency.  Included will also be a list of names and numbers for the individual to contact for additional help and support.  

“Construction work is hard on the body. Muscle and bone ailments are almost universal,” said Mr. LaBarbera. “Often workers seek out medical help and medications to deal with the pain.  And all too often an unintended consequence is addiction and an increased risk of opioid overdose.” We are taking the first step in addressing that problem head on, concluded LaBarbera.