SURVEY FINDS SEX AND DRUGS IN WORK CAMPS

Local Aids Group Seeks To Target Unsafe Behaviour

The executive director of the Wood Buffalo HIV & Aids Society hopes a
new study documenting the health practices of oilsands workers will
lead to improved programs.

The study, released today, World AIDS Day, consists of in-depth
interviews with 10 oilsands workers between February 2002 and August
2003 in an attempt to "gain insight" into the experience of mobile
workers.

Lyn Gorman, executive director of the society, said the study is the
first of its kind among mobile workers in the oilsands.

Most studies of mobile workers, she said, have been done in developing
nations.

"We've had a lot of anecdotal information about a variety of
activities going on out there (in the camps), but there is a lot of
exaggeration," said Gorman today.

And despite the findings of drug use and casual, unprotected sex among
oilsands workers, Gorman said she hopes the study will have a positive
impact.

"My fear is that people will focus on one or two of the negative
comments," she said.

"(But) there has to be a holistic approach towards health-care
awareness and education, and it has to be with everyone in the community."

Gorman also acknowledged that the report may be criticized for its
relatively small sample size of 10 workers. But she said the
interviews were in-depth, and common themes did emerge among those 10
workers.

Among those themes is drug use, which many of the interviewees - who
chose pseudonyms for their interviews - reported as rampant in the
camps.

"There are a lot of drugs up there for sure . a lot of crack and
that," said "Steve." "A lot of coke, a lot of pot - a lot of weed .
I've noticed coke is being used a lot more . but weed, I would say
weed would be the most common. Everyone smokes pot up there."

'"Pot is fine, completely cool to smoke a joint over lunch hour," said
"Blaine." "I don't care how pd people get on their time off, but to
get drunk before work on a regular basis is way too dangerous for the
crew . and for the dude that's pd."

In addition, the workers reported high levels of alcohol use, which
lead to casual sexual encounters, as well as affecting decisions to
use protection like condoms.

"A lot of the time, we go into town, party, get wasted . which ends up
leading to the desire for sex," said Blaine. "So, we end up hooking up
with ladies we've met at the bar, or some guys will even pay a hooker
. Sex, sex is all I want when I drink while working for so long."

Gorman said she wasn't surprised at the results of the survey, and
added that understanding the pressures mobile workers face is more
important than criticizing their lifestyle choices.

"You have to understand that they're far away from their families,
which creates stresses," she said. "I'm not condoning nor condemning
it; this is their home away from home and what they do on their own
time is their business."

Gorman said she was also surprised to learn many of the workers
thought the message of safety was emphasized to the point of overkill.

"I don't agree with that. I don't think you can have too much safety,"
she said. "But maybe there's a better way to deliver the message."

Gorman said the report indicates there is a need for more health
awareness programs, and hopes the findings will provide ammunition in
the fight for more health-care funding.

"The companies are putting a lot of money into development, but the
men are putting their lives into it."