NYC BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY FUND ANNOUNCES MAJOR CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT FENTANYL-OPIOID CRISIS

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning, at the annual Education & Training Awards breakfast, the NYC Building & Construction Industry Safety Fund announced a new education program dedicated to addressing the fentanyl-opioid crisis that is plaguing, not only the construction industry, but society as a whole.

"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. "Today 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 today a new education program - HOPE/LIVES, with the goal of placing a NARCAN^® Nasal Spray emergency kit on every jobsite.  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."

NARCAN^® Nasal Spray is the first FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone product for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. With more than 80,000 American lives lost each year¹ due to an opioid overdose, expanding access to life-saving treatments like NARCAN^® Nasal Spray and providing education on how to administer it can empower workers to help save lives.

"Opioid overdose emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere, including at work," said Paul Williams, senior vice president, products head at Emergent BioSolutions. "At Emergent, we are committed to working with businesses and organizations to help combat opioid overdoses, and applaud the NYC Building & Construction Industry Safety Fund for their efforts to help keep workers safe."

"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 will begin with a series of 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.  At the conclusion of the meeting, everyone will receive an Opioid Overdose Kit, which includes 2 doses of NARCAN® Nasal Spray, instructions for proper use, sterile gloves and alcohol wipes, as well as a protective mask.  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. Today we take the first step in addressing that problem head on," concluded LaBarbera.

Founded in 2017, the NYC Building & Construction Industry Safety Fund is a jointly managed New York State 501 ( c ) (3) not-for profit corporation, supported by the Building Contractors Association of New York and the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. While continuing to provide support to the families of those construction workers who are tragically killed on the job, the HOPE/LIVES initiative will bring attention and support to the current fentanyl/opioid crises.

About NARCAN^® Nasal Spray
NARCAN® Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray 4 mg is the first FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) 4 mg naloxone product for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose. NARCAN^® Nasal Spray is not a substitute for emergency medical care. Repeat dosing may be necessary. Use as directed.

¹Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018. May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240515.htm. Accessed September 26, 2024.

SOURCE Building Contractors Association; NYC Building & Construction Industry Safety Fund