HARRISBURG, PA — On Tuesday, the Shapiro Administration joined the Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) at the construction site of the future Veterans Village in Harrisburg to confront a growing concern in Pennsylvania’s construction industry — opioid misuse. The collaboration coincides with the upcoming National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, scheduled for Saturday, October 25, part of a broader campaign to prevent substance misuse and promote safe medication disposal statewide.
The event brought together the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Officials emphasized the importance of prevention, education, and access to resources for workers in high-risk sectors such as construction, where injury-related prescriptions can often lead to long-term dependence.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 percent of construction workers prescribed opioids for pain become long-term users, and those users are nearly ten times more likely to develop opioid use disorder. DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones called the partnership with KCA a vital step toward addressing that risk, noting that prevention “protects those who are literally building our communities”.
Impact on Pennsylvania’s Construction Industry
The initiative represents a significant cultural shift within one of the state’s most physically demanding sectors. Construction remains one of the industries most affected by workplace injuries and chronic pain — key factors in opioid prescriptions. By integrating substance use awareness and prevention into jobsite safety programs, the Shapiro Administration and KCA are helping employers redefine what workplace safety means.
KCA Executive Director Jon O’Brien emphasized that safety extends beyond the worksite. “Unused or expired medications can pose real risks to our families and coworkers,” he said, urging construction professionals to participate in Take-Back Day and adopt safe disposal habits.
In addition to promoting safe medication disposal, KCA has stocked its job sites, including Veterans Village, with naloxone through DDAP’s Overdose Prevention Program. The initiative has distributed more than 400,000 doses statewide in the first half of 2025, and more than two million since mid-2023. This access is especially crucial in construction, where workers may be isolated on job sites or reluctant to seek help due to stigma.
A Broader Push for Safety and Prevention
State officials framed the campaign as part of a wider effort to reduce overdose deaths and support recovery resources for workers. Pennsylvania now maintains nearly 900 year-round drug take-back boxes at police stations and pharmacies, offering residents a simple and secure way to dispose of unwanted medications.
For the construction industry, the initiative could have lasting implications. By combining safety training with substance misuse education, contractors may see improvements in workforce stability, productivity, and insurance costs — while saving lives. Senator John Kane, himself a former union tradesman, said the partnership reflects a pragmatic approach to prevention. “When we work together to promote education, prevention, and access to tools like naloxone, we’re able to help save lives,” he said.
As Pennsylvania prepares for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, the message to the state’s construction workforce is clear: job safety now extends beyond hard hats and harnesses — it includes safeguarding health, community, and recovery.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.