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Organizers say it’s a “first of its kind event” for construction workers in the Bensalem Pennsylvania area. That’s as a group of contractors gathered to talk about mental health issues in the construction industry on Thursday, October 24th, 2024.
EDA Contractors, a construction company that says it serves the areas of Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York hosted its third annual “PACT Program” which stands for “Personal Accountability Changes Today.” The Wellness Fair was held at its corporate headquarters in Bensalem.
Organizers say, “they welcomed more than one-hundred-fifty EDA workers to an event of awareness, sensitivity, resources and support in the fight against substance abuse.” Workers in attendance were from the trades including carpentry, roofing and masonry.
Among national statistics the organization sited:
It said, “With roughly 15% of its workers battling addiction, the construction industry faces one of the highest rates of substance abuse of any industry in the United States.”
It also stated that, “currently, 12% of construction workers have an alcohol use disorder compared to 7.5% nationally and 11.6% of construction workers report illicit drug use, according to a 2024 National Survey on Drug Use conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.”
It also cited the statistic that, “about 1.3% of construction workers have an opioid use disorder, almost twice the national average according to a report from the National Safety Council.”
Ed DeAngelis, CEO, EDA Contractors says, “it is vital that the construction industry take proactive measures to support the needs of its workers. DeAngelis says, “we pride ourselves on providing our employees with a psychologically safe workplace, where all EDA team members can receive substance abuse support, resources and understanding – without personal judgement or fear of job loss.”
Organizers say the event was supported by: “Recovery Centers of America, Safegard Group, Turning Points for Children, Catholic Social Services, Jefferson Health Nurses – Mini Wellness Checks, Carpenters Union, Reboot, Dillon Marcus, Heroic Gardens, General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), Narcotics Anonymous, Unity Recovery, and Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Benefit Funds.”
Read more here: Event Held To Focus on Construction Workers and Mental Health | PHL17.com