The growing challenge of substance abuse in construction

The construction industry continues to face the challenge of substance abuse. We have been talking about it since 2016 when the Considerate Constructors Scheme first highlighted the problem in a UK survey, stating that some 35% of workers had noticed colleagues under the influence of substances or alcohol. More recently the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the USA were telling us that that substance abuse is more prevalent in the construction industry than in other sectors. All the experts continue to tell us that this is a growing problem – so what are we going to do about it – writes John Ridgeway?

Substance abuse among construction workers has now become a pressing issue, with serious consequences for individuals, families and businesses. The most commonly used include alcohol and prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine can also be a problem in the construction industry. Marijuana is another substance that is commonly used by construction workers.

Here are some of the shocking answers given to the CCS all those years ago and things have not improved –

• 35% have noticed their colleagues under the influence of substances and alcohol

• 25% agreed drugs or alcohol affected them at work through tiredness

• 23% agreed it affected them through decreased attention during work

• 19% agreed the affects made them less productive at work

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