Construction Workers Top The List Of Most Drug Related Deaths In NYC
According to the most recent data from the Health Department, construction workers in New York City had the highest number of fatal drug overdoses among all professions. In 2020, a staggering 269 construction workers lost their lives due to drug overdoses, making it the deadliest year for this profession in the data.
The data also reveals that 114 workers in food preparation and services and 94 in sales succumbed to drug overdoses during the same period. Fatal overdoses were also relatively high in office and administrative support, accounting for 83 deaths, followed by transportation with 77 deaths, and material moving with 75 deaths.
Overall, the Health Department reported 2,062 drug overdose deaths in 2020.
One construction worker shared a tragic incident where a colleague was found dead on a job site, inside a portable restroom, with a needle still in his arm. This highlights the perilous cycle where workers turn to pain medication to cope with injuries and stress, which can ultimately lead to addiction.
The data further indicates a concerning trend of drug overdoses in New York City, with a staggering increase of at least 96 percent since April 2019. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in the year ending April 2023, 2,820 people died from drug overdoses in the city.
The proliferation of fentanyl has worsened the drug epidemic, as it has been detected in 80% of overdose deaths, according to the Health Department.
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