Substance use in the construction industry: a comparison of assessment methods

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Addiction Science
• Forensic Toxicology

Background:

• Illicit drug use is prevalent among employed adults, with the construction industry showing particularly high rates.
• Understanding substance use patterns in construction workers is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Apprentices constitute a significant portion of the construction workforce, necessitating specific attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nature and extent of illicit drug use among construction industry workers.
• To compare the effectiveness of different drug use assessment methods (questionnaire, urinalysis, hair analysis).
• To identify factors influencing drug use rates and assessment outcomes within this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 60% apprentices across six construction sites.
• Data collection via self-reported questionnaires.
• Biological sample analysis through urinalysis and hair testing for illicit substances.

Main Results:

• Approximately 17% of participants reported current illicit drug use.
• Significant variations in drug use prevalence were observed across different work sites.
• Drug use rates and detection varied considerably based on respondent characteristics and the assessment method employed.

Conclusions:

• Multiple assessment methods are essential for a comprehensive understanding of substance use in construction workers.
• Site-specific factors and individual characteristics influence drug use prevalence.
• The findings underscore the need for tailored substance abuse prevention and treatment programs in the construction industry.