The year 1956 would prove to be quite consequential when two seemingly innocuous events occurred: the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) was formed, and Frank Barker bought two trucks.
LICADD serves as a center for those who find themselves ravaged by the disease of addiction. Staffed by a group of social workers, educators, clinicians, care coordinators, and other professionals, they work to treat the disease holistically, which is to say not only the physical effects of the addict, but the entire family and community the addict touches, so they can work to strengthen the community and alleviate the ravages of drug and alcohol dependency and related issues. LICADD has been serving as an efficient and reputable Employee Assistance Program, offering a host of support and operation services to unions, business and municipalities for 68 years.
As for Frank Barker, he was a scrappy kid who needed to borrow money from his young wife to purchase two dump trucks, which he eventually turned into his business: Roanoke Sand and Gravel in Middle Island. With those trucks, he began moving sand on Long Island’s north shore. That business proved so lucrative that he eventually purchased land that contained sand mines that housed some of the best construction aggregate in the world. In fact, it was used to build some of the biggest and most well-known skyscrapers in New York City. That sand, mixed with gravel to make concrete, dated back 20,000 years to the retreat of the glaciers that formed Long Island.
In 1956, neither Frank Barker, nor LICADD were aware of the other, until circumstance inexorably crossed their paths. The two have been entwined ever since.
Addiction in Construction
Construction industry employees experience nearly twice the rate of substance abuse as the national average. Around 15 percent of all construction workers in the United States have a substance abuse disorder compared to 8.6 percent of the general population of adults, according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Other statistics from this study pertaining to construction workers include:
- 12% have an alcohol use disorder compared to 7.5% nationally
- 16.5% of construction workers reported heavy alcohol consumption within the past month, nearly twice the average of all full-time workers surveyed
- 11.6% of construction workers reported illicit drug use within the past month
- 14.3% of construction workers were diagnosed with a substance use disorder in the past year, more than 1 ½ times the average of all full-time workers surveyed
- 2.3% have a marijuana use disorder
The construction industry has been particularly affected by the opioid epidemic, and workers in this field are among the most susceptible to opioid abuse. 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.
“The deadliest drug in America, year after year, is alcohol,” says Steve Chassman, Executive Director of LICADD. “But last year was the most deadly year in American history. 111,000 opioid-related fatalities being driven by fentanyl.”
By now, we know that the US pharmaceutical companies were flooding our markets and suppressing data around the dependency on Oxycontin. For many who have died from opioid addiction, it started with a work injury or a minor surgical or dental procedure; when the pain stopped, the pills did not because addiction had taken hold. For others it started with a searing psychological pain that was alleviated with a quick trip to the family medicine cabinet, where unused pills had been left for future use.
A decade ago, it became apparent that not only were heartbreaking cases of opioid misuse and addiction becoming increasingly widespread, but also that we were in the midst of an epidemic.
“And then it went to a very potent form of heroin and now we’re into fentanyl which is synthetic opioid,” Chassman says. “I had a senator call me last week, asking why opioids? I said, ‘Senator, they’re pain killers. So what kind of discomfort or pain could Americans be in?’”
It doesn’t help that so many in construction are prescribed opioids to deal with their pain. Almost 3 out of 4 injured construction workers were prescribed a narcotic pain killer in 2016. Opioids account for 20% of the total spending on prescription drugs in the construction industry, a higher amount than any other industry according to a report by CNA Financial.
The rampant opioid abuse and addiction within the construction industry is associated with an increased risk of overdose and death. In fact, construction workers have the highest mortality rates for drug overdose deaths and prescription opioid–related overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some other recent findings include:
- Construction workers are 7 times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than workers in other industries
- Construction workers have the highest proportion of heroin-related overdose deaths
- Construction workers represent about 25% of fatal opioid overdoses among all workers
The Foundation’s Foundation
Under Frank Barker’s leadership, Roanoke Sand and Gravel grew to operate for three generations of family thus far. His site is often said to be “the model for reclamation” for other mine sites. The quality of Long Island sand is quite possibly superior to any other location in New York State. Roanoke’s pit contains coveted mineral resources that meet or exceed both ASTM, NYSDOT and DEP standards. In fact, for many years theirs was the only sand that would pass the specs for NYC’s water tunnel construction.
It has been used recently to build several runways at JFK and for the build out at LaGuardia Airport. Their sand has also been used in the construction of the Freedom Tower, Eastside Access Tunnels, and many other high-level projects in NYC, including in the concrete produced for every stanchion holding up the Mario Cuomo Bridge.
But just as important, their sand is a major consideration for the local supply – especially for projects like the LIE, parkways, bridges as well as for residential structures and public buildings like schools and hospitals.
As Roanoke Sand and Gravel grew, so did Frank Barker’s desire to give back. As someone who’d once succumbed to alcohol addiction himself, he lives the 12th step: having experienced a spiritual awakening, he works to help others in recovery. Barker’s work can be seen in his extensive philanthropy and his work serving on various boards of directors throughout his long career.
“It’s hard work to get sober,” Barker says. “It’s a life-changer.”
In a beautiful bit of synchronicity, not only has Barker’s sands been used as the foundation for so many important structures, but it fostered his foundation, The Barker Organization, that has donated so many needed resources to the community, particularly those that treat alcohol and drug addiction, like LICADD and Hope House Ministries. Barker met Steve Chassman while serving on the board of directors for the organization. “Frank is an exceptional man who has done extraordinary things in many communities,” Chassman says. “LICADD and I are truly honored to know and serve our communities with such an incredible man who is a power of example to many.”
Barker immediately recognized Chassman as “the real deal.”
“You can call Steve any time, day or night,” Barker says, “and he will not just pick up the phone but he will get in the car and drive to wherever you need him to go.”
Many times, that call has been to help someone in the construction industry who is, for a brief moment, open to the possibility of help for their addiction.
“LICADD works with a host of different unions,” Chassman says. “Listen, there’s a lot of stressors working in construction. It’s a field that is physical, mental and emotional. Often the hours are long, the conditions could be difficult, whether it’s ten degrees outside or 110 degrees. These men and women are out there making sure Long Island is continually regenerating and rejuvenating itself. That’s the heart and blood of America, isn’t it?”
When someone is at their rock bottom and experiencing a moment of clarity, it cannot wait until 9am on Monday. Frank Barker and Steve Chassman both understand this and together, through their work with construction workers, they are helping to turn the tide and walk with our brothers and sisters on the road to recovery.