LOWER DRUG PRICES CREATE AN INCREASE IN DRUG PROBLEMS

The Pipeline

Just as new technology becomes cheaper the longer it has been around,
the same thing has happened with crack - and that makes it more
affordable to the masses. Couple the cheaper price with a stressful
job and the mix can be devastating.

While many people picture crack addicts as down-and-out, the reality
is that many are holding down full-time jobs, plenty of which are in
the oil and gas industry, said Perry Sirota, president of Serenity
House Drug and Treatment Centre in Calgary.

"I get people from all walks of life - people from the street, those
getting out of jail and those in management positions in the oil and
gas industry," he said.

Workers in the oil and gas industry who are away from home for weeks
at a time are especially at risk for drug abuse, Sirota continued.

"In the resource-based industry, people may be isolated into male
dominated groups and are making tons of money. It's culturally quite
accepted for young adult males to experiment with drugs. That's the
social recreation of the environment," he explained. "The hard drugs
are seeping in more than before."

Alcohol is still the number one choice because it won't show up in a
drug test, but illegal drug use is growing.

"We're seeing growing, growing rates of crystal meth and crack
cocaine," said Sirota.

Often times, when people finally ask for help, it is because they
were told they would be fired if they didn't, their spouse has left
or threatened to leave or because they experienced a near miss at work.

"This is a very serious situation. This is very safety sensitive work."

Workers out in the field are fitted with protective equipment, which
while necessary, can affect limberness. If an employee is also
impaired by drugs, they are putting themselves and their fellow
workers at risk.

"I couldn't imagine an industry that should be more committed,"
Sirota said of offering drug education programs. But for some
independent companies, the budget and manpower isn't there to make
that a reality.

According to AADAC, alcohol and other drug use in the work place
costs Alberta businesses and industry more than $400 million each
year in lost productivity. Left untreated, substance abuse
contributes to unsafe work practices, accidents and increased risk of injury.

Getting treatment can be a challenge when a person works three weeks
out in a camp and only returns home for a maximum of one week each month.

"You have to work fast with people when the opportunity presents.
They are very driven to get back to work," Sirota said.

And when they get back to work, they are back in the environment
where there is access to drugs and alcohol.

"For some people, the answer might be that they can't handle working
in that industry."