Home Builders target opioid crisis

National organization offers resources to address growing problem

The National Association of Home Builders has unveiled a new set of resources as part of its effort to address the growing opioid crisis that it says faces the home-building industry.

“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 Chair Greg Ugalde, a home builder and developer from Torrington, Conn.

He said 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.

The resources, packaged under the name, “Opioids in the Home Building Industry: Making it Your Business,” are available to NAHB members and non-members. They include:

• An executive training package, including a webinar and related downloadable materials, that explains why action is needed in the home building industry
• A supervisor training package on interventions in the workplace that includes a podcast and comprehensive written guidance
• A supervisor training package on preventing opioid misuse in homebuilding
• Resources on pain management alternatives to opioids
• Fact sheets that explain the risks associated with taking opioids, identifying nonmedical opioids like heroin, and identifying medical opioids
• A comprehensive state-by-state guide of resources available locally

The resources are available at nahb.org/opioids.