SUBSTANCE USE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A COMPARISON OF ASSESSMENT METHODS

Abstract

Most users of illicit drugs are employed adults, with substance use rates especially high in the construction industry. In an effort to shed light on the nature and extent of drug use among construction industry workers, and to compare drug use assessment methods, substance use among construction workers, 60% of whom were apprentices, across six sites was assessed by questionnaire, urinalysis, and hair analysis. Nearly 17% of the participants reported current drug use, although drug use differed dramatically by site. Drug use rates also differed by respondent characteristics, participation rates, and assessment method. The strengths and weaknesses of each assessment method are discussed, along with the rationale for combining methods.

• Substance misuse
• Assessment methods
• Construction industry

RESUMEN

La mayoría de los usuarios de drogas ilícitas son adultos empleados; los índices de utilización de sustancias son especialmente altos en el sector de la construcción. A los efectos de arrojar luz sobre las características y el nivel de uso de drogas entre los trabajadores de ese sector se evaluó el uso de sustancias sicotrópicas entre los trabajadores de la construcción, 60% de los cuales eran aprendices, de seis sitios mediante un cuestionario, análisis de orina y análisis del cabello. Casi el 17% de los participantes declararon uso de drogas en el momento del estudio, aunque el uso de drogas variaba notablemente de un sitio a otro. Los índices de uso de drogas variaban también en función de las características del respondiente, los índices de participación y el método de evaluación. Se examinan las virtudes y defectos de cada uno de los métodos de evaluación utilizados, junto con el fundamento de los métodos de combinación de los mismos.

RÉSUMÉ

La plupart des toxicomanes sont des travailleurs adultes, les taux de toxicomanie étant particulièrement élevés dans l'industrie du bâtiment. Afin de faire la lumière sur la nature et l'importance de la toxicomanie parmi les ouvriers du bâtiment, et de comparer les méthodes d'évaluation de la toxicomanie, l'on a évalué la consommation de substances toxiques parmi des ouvriers du bâtiment (dont 60% étaient des apprentis) travaillant sur six chantiers, et ce au moyen de questionnaires, d'analyses d'urine et d'analyses capillaire. Presque 17% des participants ont fait état d'une consommation actuelle de drogue, quoique cette consommation variait considérablement d'un chantier à l'autre. Les taux de toxicomanie variaient également selon les caractéristiques des répondants, les taux de participation et la méthode d'évaluation. Les forces et les faiblesses de chaque méthode d'évaluation sont discutées, ainsi que les raisons justifiant de combiner ces méthodes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rebekah K. Hersch

Rebekah K. Hersch received her Ph.D. in applied social psychology from The George Washington University in 1997. In 1986, she joined ISA Associates, Inc. and the Institute for Social Analysis, known collectively as the ISA Group, and currently serves as Vice President. She has conducted applied research in health promotion, alcohol and substance use prevention, and criminal justice. Dr. Hersch has served as project director for numerous research and development projects including evaluating substance use prevention programs for construction industry workers, evaluating a workplace and managed care substance misuse prevention program, the development of a computer-based adolescent substance use prevention program for parents, and an evaluation of on-site drug detection devices for use by law enforcement officers.

Tracy L. McPherson

Tracy L. McPherson, A.B.D., is a Senior Research Associate at ISA. She currently serves as Project Director on two research projects, including a NIDA-funded project designed to develop and test of a computer-based “Instrument Wizard” system to help schools, community organizations, and State and local agencies identify and use appropriate instruments for measuring substance use and related factors. Ms. McPherson received her M.S. in psychology in 1996 from Old Dominion University and is a doctoral candidate in the applied social psychology program at The George Washington University.

Royer F. Cook

Royer F. Cook received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Kansas State University in 1968. In 1978 Dr. Cook founded the Institute for Social Analysis and ISA Associates, Inc. (The ISA Group). For the past 22 years he has served a President of the ISA Group, which conducts research in the areas of behavioral health, alcohol and drug use, and criminal justice. During the past 15 years, Dr. Cook's interests have been concentrated in the areas of health promotion and substance misuse prevention research. Dr. Cook is a nationally recognized expert in workplace-based substance misuse research.