EDA Contractors’ third annual EDA PACT (Personal Accountability Changes Today) Wellness Fair at its corporate headquarters welcomed more than 150 EDA employees for an event of awareness, sensitivity, resources, and support all in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.
EDA’s PACT Program is designed to promote safe and competent job performance by addressing substance and alcohol abuse within the construction industry. It offers support to employees struggling with addiction, providing resources for treatment and ensuring job security upon successful completion of rehabilitation.
“The health and wellness of EDA employees is top priority,” shares Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors. “We pride ourselves on providing our employees with a psychologically safe workplace, providing our team members with a safe and understanding environment that includes support, resources and understanding for substance abuse issues – without personal judgment or fear of job loss.”
The EDA PACT Program is just one of the ways that EDA helps support employees who are struggling with substance abuse and addiction. PACT encourages safe and competent job performance through the identification of inappropriate use of alcohol or drugs. The program provides individuals with the steps needed for entering treatment and ultimately guarantees a return to work upon completion. To learn more about how the program is making an impact, watch PHL17’s coverage of the event below:
With roughly 15% of its workers battling addiction, the construction industry faces one of the highest rates of substance abuse of any industry in the United States.
Currently, 12% of construction workers have an alcohol use disorder compared to 7.5% nationally and 11.6% of construction workers report illicit drug use, according to a 2024 National Survey on Drug Use conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. About 1.3% of construction workers have an opioid use disorder, almost twice the national average according to a report from the National Safety Council.
Supporting EDA’s annual addiction awareness and recovery event were Recovery Centers of America (RCA), Safegard Group, Turning Points for Children, Catholic Social Services, Jefferson Health Nurses, Reboot Contractors, Dillon Marcus, Heroic Gardens, General Building Contractors Association (GBCA), Narcotics Anonymous, Unity Recovery, and Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Benefit Funds.
Thanks for your support! EDA thanks everyone who came out to make our third PACT event a tremendous success. It is vital that the construction industry take proactive measures to support the needs of its workers. Together, we can be the support that creates opportunity and hope.