New research says construction, agriculture workers disproportionately impacted by opioids epidemic

New research shows that construction workers are disproportionately impacted by the opioids epidemic.

The study examined the occupations of people who died of opioid overdoses in Ontario between 2018 and 2024.

More than a third of the deaths where the person’s occupation was known were people who worked in construction or the trades.

“When we kind of think about why people working in construction and trades are impacted, I think it’s like the intersection of stigma surrounding talking about substance use and untreated pain, especially if it’s more precarious, or part-time employment, when you may not have access to private health insurance,” said Shaleesa Ledlie with the Ontario Opioid Drug Observatory.

Principal Investigator and epidemiologist Dr. Tara Gomes says the rate of opioid deaths was similar for workers in natural resources and agriculture.

She said jobs where there is more risk for injury, precarious employment and shift work could be factors that make people more vulnerable.

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