NAHB Tackles the Opioid Epidemic

The National Association of Home Builders has unveiled a new resource package to help residential construction companies address the opioid crisis.

People who work in construction are significantly more likely to become addicted to opioids, like prescription painkillers, than other workers in the general population and are six times more likely to die as a result of overdose. In addition to the health and well-being of the employee, the impact on a business can be significant and includes loss of productivity, healthcare expenses, absenteeism, turnover and much more.

“Opioid addiction is our nation’s leading public health crisis, and it affects people across all socioeconomic classes, races, genders and jobs, and the home building industry is no exception,” said NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde, a home builder and developer from Torrington, Conn. “NAHB is pleased to provide resources and possible solutions to this issue affecting so many lives.”

NAHB is taking an innovative approach to address opioid use and misuse, viewing the problem holistically and creating solutions and educational resources that address intervention points across the spectrum of prevention, treatment, recovery and return-to-work.

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