WashU seeking assistance of health and welfare funds to test guidelines for opioid prevention

The construction industry has been disproportionately impacted by substance use disorders and overdose deaths.

Washington University’s Dr. Ann Marie Dale has developed guidelines to help construction employers, unions, and union health funds improve their opioid prevention programs. The guide is intended to cover the full continuum of opioid-related conditions from prevention to treatment, to recovery and return to work. The guidelines describe the extent of the opioid crisis and how it impacts construction employers and unions, includes a self-assessment for companies and unions, guidance on the development of an opioid prevention plan, and a list of freely available resources, trainings and education.

Dr. Dale’s team is currently looking for union health and welfare funds to trial the guidelines.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Sam Biver at sbiver@wustl.edu.