The oil patch's latest boom: Substance abuse
Carrie Tait, Financial Post
August 11, 2009
Buses carry oil workers to their jobs in Fort McMurray Alta. Alcohol abuse proved to be one of the most "chronic" challenges in the oil industry's labour force, according to a recent report. Brent Foster/National Post Staff Buses carry oil workers to their jobs in Fort McMurray Alta. Alcohol abuse proved to be one of the most "chronic" challenges in the oil industry's labour force, according to a recent report.
CALGARY -- Canada's oilpatch workers, along with their families, are flocking to employee assistance programs to seek help with issues such as substance and alcohol abuse during the industry's most recent boom years.
There was a 481% increase in access to employee assistance programs (EAP) for alcohol abuse between 2006 and 2008, according to a new report prepared by Shepell-fgi Research Group.
Employees in the oil and gas industry reached for help at a rate that was 34% higher than the Canadian norm in 2006, and 40% of that in each of 2007 and 2008. Spouses of oilpatch workers accessed EAP at a rate that was 33% higher than the national norm in 2006, 56% higher in 2007, and 75% higher in 2008.
"Working in stressful jobs in remote locations, combined with distance or long periods of time away from family, is a prime cause for such problems as addiction," said Rod Phillips, Shepell-fgi's chief executive, in a statement.
Alcohol abuse proved to be one of the most "chronic" challenges in the industry's labour force, according to the report.
Alberta is the epicentre of Canada's oil and gas industry, with 58% of the industry's labour force working in the western province.
Many of its employees are housed in camps, both wet and dry, at the province's oilsands. The oil and gas sector has been nailed by the economic crisis with companies shelving major projects and laying off employees. But that slowdown may not translate into a slowdown in EAP access.
"The current economic crisis may also contribute to a higher incidence of EAP access for family support services," Mr. Phillips said in a press release.
Carrie Tait
