Episode 40: Boys Don’t Cry

[Cover image is a school photo of Trevor Botkin, aged approximately 10 years old. Trevor is smiling, looking straight at the camera and has short brown hair. The background is blurred. The bottom of the photo has the word “Crackdown” written in big block letters. (Photo provided by Trevor Botkin)]

In the trades there’s a zero-tolerance policy on substance use. But the construction industry relies on drugs. Cocaine and stimulants help maintain a demanding rate of production and opioids treat the pain caused by injury and gruelling physical labour. On the 40th episode of Crackdown, we tell the story of one construction industry veteran, Trevor Botkin, in order to explore the culture of exploitation, secrecy, and hypermasculinity that is driving overdoses among men in the trades.

Men at Work, a companion video to Boys Don’t Cry, weaves the stories of four construction industry veterans who survived the culture of exploitation, secrecy, and hypermasculinity that drives overdose deaths among men in the trades. Directed by Crackdown collaborator, Brenda Longfellow and featuring the stories of: Trevor Botkin, Scott Banistermex, Jason Camp and Anthony Monti.

[Trevor’s father, Terry Botkin, holding his baby grand daughter. (Photo provided by Trevor Botkin)]

[Trevor’s father, Terry Botkin, on a fishing trip. Terry is wearing a green rain jacket and wide-brimmed green hat. Behind him you can see the ocean and the nearby shore, lined with trees. (Photo provided by Trevor Botkin)]

[Trevor Botkin standing in a partly built wood structure. He has a white beard and is looking at the side of the frame with his hands on his hips. Trevor wears a safety vest and a backwards hard hat with stickers on it. (Photo provided by Trevor Botkin)]

(Trevor smiling at the camera. He has a blue baseball cap that is mostly shading his face, a pencil behind his ear and a white beard. He wears a red shirt with a logo on the chest that says “HeroWork.” Behind him are trees and a wood building that are out of focus. (Photo provided by Trevor Botkin)]

Credits

Crackdown is produced on the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh Nations.

Our editorial board is: Samona Marsh, Shelda Kastor, Jeff Louden, Dean Wilson, Laura Shaver, Reija Jean. Rest in peace, Dave Murray, Greg Fresz and Chereece Keewatin.

This episode was conceptualized, written, and produced by Sam Fenn, Alex de Boer, Brenda Longfellow, Lisa Hale and me, Garth Mullins.

The radio diaries you heard throughout the show were recorded by Trevor Botkin. 

Brenda Longfellow and Danya Fast provided us with intellectual direction. 

This episode was mixed by Alexander Kim and Sam Fenn. 

Score by James Ash.

Special thanks to Natasha Touesnard, Andrzej Celinski, as well as the members of CAPUD’s Substance Use in the Trades Working Group. 

I’d like to say goodbye to VANDU’s vice president, Joe and to veteran activist Pablo, who made us shine like diamonds. See you on the other side, guys. 

Today’s episode was funded in part by a SSHRC Insight Development Grant held at York University. 

If you like what we do, support us at patreon.com/crackdownpod.

Thanks for listening. Stay safe and keep six.