Drug Use among Construction Workers

The construction industry is one of the largest industrial sectors in the US, with roughly 7.4 million wage or self-employed workers in December 2018. Construction workers (CWs), especially laborers, have high injury and fatality rates; in 2017, the nonfatal injury rate among CWs was 3.1 per 100 full-time workers and 18.9% (n=971) of all worker deaths occurred among CWs. Disproportionate fatality rates are noted among non-union workers (93% of all fatalities) and Hispanics (50% of all fatalities). There are well-documented hazards to CW safety and health. A growing body of research has demonstrated that CWs are at increased risk for alcohol and drug use, substance disorders, and overdose. Individuals in construction and extraction occupations have a higher likelihood of binge drinking; heavy drinking; and medical, recreation, and mixed marijuana use as compared to workers in other industries. CWs have also been shown to drink more frequently and in larger quantities than the general population. Although there are some data regarding drug and alcohol use, their correlates, and consequences among CWs, there are several outstanding questions and new contexts (e.g., the US opioid crisis and the COVID-related economic downturn). This project aims to further understand drug use among CWs. 

Network of Drug Researchers with Lived Experience (NDRLE)

Despite the value of experiential knowledge, drug use and disclosure of drug use within the drug research community is heavily stigmatized and rarely discussed. Few studies have documented drug researchers’ drug use, its influence on their research, and their decision to disclose use or nonuse in professional settings. The Network of Drug Researchers with Lived Experience (NDRLE, pronounced nerd-ul) Study looks at the drug use patterns of drug researchers, including if and how drug use informs their research.

Marijuana Studies

As marijuana is legalized or decriminalized by states, a variety of marijuana products have become more available in addition to bud/flower. New marijuana products made with THC, CBD, or marijuana extracts include a variety of edibles (e.g., gummies and other candies, baked goods, infused meals), beverages, disposable and reusable vapes, concentrates (e.g., dabs, wax, butane hash oil), and topicals (e.g., infused soaps, lotions, suppositories, patches, and oils). 

The subjective effects of marijuana and sex are a nascent area of inquiry, but several studies suggest that marijuana use is associated with more satisfactory sex. Given that marijuana use may enhance sexual experiences, it is also important to understand whether marijuana use – and new marijuana product use – is associated with sexual risk behavior. This project aims to characterize the use of a wide variety of marijuana products and the associations between marijuana use, subjective sexual effects of marijuana, and sexual behavior. 

We are also characterizing marijuana package content from a sample of more than 700 photos of marijuana products that we have collected. This summer, we are visiting marijuana dispensaries to understand these businesses from a public health perspective.