Men account for around 3 out of 4 of overdose deaths in Canada which has become a leading cause of death across the country. Men in the trades are at particular risk of experiencing substance use-related harms, including overdose. Several factors contribute to these trends, including chronic pain, toxic masculinity, and stigma, which can contribute to men being less likely to speak openly about their substance use and mental health.

Building Hope: Substance Use in the Trades is a film where four men with experience in the construction industry and trades, as well as their own experiences with substance use speak to their fellow tradespeople about how to stay safer in the overdose era.

The intent of this film is to raise awareness of the opioid overdose/toxic drug poisoning crisis, reduce the stigma toward people who use substances, and promote help-seeking among men in the trades and construction. Ultimately, our intention is to save lives.

Supervisors, employers, and industry leaders are invited to consider showing this video at safety meetings or providing other opportunities for it to be viewed by employees.

For more resources on substance use and overdose risks and prevention visit: https://linktr.ee/meninthetrades