By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH
Indiana Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. — Workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industries reported they had used illicit drugs and alcohol, though their levels were below those for several other occupations, according to an examination of federal data by the website Detox.net The site compiled the data into six categories of drug and alcohol usage among 19 occupations, including accommodations and food services, construction, manufacturing, retail trade and transportation, and warehousing. For its 2018 study, Detox.net used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. About 70,000 people were questioned for the survey. Nearly 6 percent of workers in agriculture and related fields said they had tried illicit drugs. The accommodations and food services sector ranked first, at about 18 percent. Approximately 10 percent of those in agriculture and related fields were classified with a substance use disorder. Accommodations and food services were again ranked first, with about 17 percent. Almost 10 percent of those in agriculture and related fields reported they were heavy alcohol users; mining was first, at nearly 17 percent. About 40 percent in agriculture and related fields had tried marijuana. Construction workers had the highest level, at about 60 percent. Heroin use among agriculture and related fields was about 2 percent. Construction workers were first, at nearly 4.5 percent. Thirteen percent of workers in agriculture and related fields reported they had used pain relievers non-medically. Construction once again ranked first, at nearly 23 percent. To view the complete study, visit www.detox.net/uncover/drugs-in-the-workplace-industry-comparison After seeing other studies regarding drugs and alcohol in the agriculture industry, AgrIInstitute hosted an opioid symposium in January 2018, said Beth Archer, the group’s executive director. “We were just overwhelmed with response in the industry and those who serve agriculture and rural communities,” she said. “We wanted to provide resources and information.” The depressed agricultural economy, trade issues, and horrible weather were contributing to increased levels of concern, Archer pointed out. “The opportunity for lots of stress in the industry can lead to turning to alternative things to ease the pain, increased misuse of drugs and alcohol. “A lot of people within the industry work in isolation of others or live in a small community. They may not have connections with their neighbors. It helps to have good conversations about mental health and (drug) misuse. It’s also a culture that says, ‘Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and fix it on your own,’” she pointed out. There are several factors that may make those in agriculture susceptible to drug and alcohol misuse, she said. Treatment for injuries suffered in a farming accident may lead to abuse. “Farmers may worry if they’re down, who’s going to get the crop in the ground,” Archer explained. “If they’re managing an operation that’s been in the family for generations, they may wonder if they’re letting their family down. These concerns could lead to depression and to the perfect environment to abuse substances to find the answers.” Michelle Soll, farm and ranch project director for the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline, said it has seen an increase in financial distress and mental health needs. The hotline provides free and confidential legal services, financial counseling, and mental health services. “I don’t know if they’re turning more to drugs and alcohol,” she said. “But that’s what prevention is about – to get them counseling before they go down that road. This is (farmers’) livelihoods, their way of life. They may have a sense of failure if they’re at risk of losing a generational farm. “They may be going toward financial distress because they can’t market their commodities with the trade wars and tariffs. (Weather) disasters are the icing on the cake. The cake wasn’t doing so well, but the disasters put them over the edge.” Angela Abbott, associate director and program leader for Purdue University’s Health and Human Sciences, said it’s important to understand there’s not a quick or easy solution to dealing with the many pressures associated with farming. “There are ways stress influencers can be minimized,” she said. “Farmers and farm families should realize how important their physical health is. Get plenty of rest, eat properly, get regular checkups. It’s important all the time, but especially important during high-stress times. These are things anyone can start doing today.” Purdue offers programs to help farmers and health care providers deal with stress and mental health. Other universities across the Midwest offer similar programs, Abbott said. The Weathering the Storm workshop has tips on recognizing the symptoms of chronic stress, such as not eating, changing a normal routine, and not having social interaction. The Communicating with Farmers Under Stress workshop is designed for agricultural professionals and lenders. The program teaches signs and symptoms of stress and how to approach farmers dealing with it. The Mental Health First Aid program helps community members learn how to assist people dealing with mental health issues. Resources Family members, pastors, family doctors, social workers, and others in the local community could be helpful in dealing with stress or drug and alcohol abuse, mental health experts explained. Other resources include university extension at the state or county level, state departments of agriculture, and FarmAid.org The Nebraska Rural Response Hotline’s number is 800-464-0258. The Rural Health Information Hub may be found online at www.ruralhealthinfo.org The Indiana Addiction Hotline is 800-662-4357. Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration offers a suicide prevention website (www.in.gov/issp), which includes an interactive map to help residents find local hospitals and other resources. And, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255. |
