Tag Archives: substance abuse
Down East seafood harvesters struggle to access health care, according to survey
Unless she needs to be stitched up, Deer Isle lobsterman Julie Eaton probably isn’t going to the hospital. She’d have to dock her boat in Stonington and drive up to the hospital in Blue Hill, nearly a 45-minute ride away. Not only will she lose out on a fishing day, but when she does get there, it’ll probably cost an arm and a leg, because Eaton, like many lobstermen, doesn’t have insurance. “Health care is a challenge,” she said. “I don’t have insurance. I don’t go unless I’m bleeding.” It’s a common refrain in the industry and one backed up by the results of a recent survey of more than 100 Down East lobstermen and shellfish harvesters. >click to read< 21:43
Substance Abuse and Safety: Coast Guard Identifies Concerning Trend in Maritime Law Violations in Alaska
U.S. Coast Guard investigators and inspectors have identified a concerning trend throughout the state of Alaska, ranging from illegal drug use to unserviceable life saving equipment. Investigators at Coast Guard Sector Anchorage have observed an increase in the number of positive drug tests for non-credentialed mariners throughout the Arctic and Western Alaska., Another concerning trend observed by inspectors with the Coast Guard Marine Safety Task Force relates to unserviceable or missing life-saving equipment aboard commercial fishing vessels. From June 8 through 22, members of the task force removed 119 immersion suits during commercial fishing vessel exams in the King Salmon area because they were not in serviceable condition. >click to read< 19:44
This entrepreneur uses her kelp farm to help women in recovery
Three women join Francke and her husband, Brent Nappi, aboard the Linda Kate. They show up in jeans and sweatpants but change into oversized Grundéns overalls and boots. All hands are clad in bulky orange fishing gloves, and all eyes are on Francke. These women are all in recovery, and they are working together on a boat for the first time today. >click to read< 08:42
Cocaine use a growing problem on fishing vessels, says industry rep
“It’s everywhere — in all the ports,” said Hubert Saulnier, who fishes out of Meteghan, N.S., and is on the drugs and alcohol committee of the Fisheries Safety Association of Nova Scotia. “You hear about it a lot … It’s an ongoing issue and it’s getting to be a little bit worse.” Saulnier said he hears of cocaine use at sea from fishermen themselves, as well as from the RCMP and the federal Fisheries and Oceans Department. He believes some fishermen may use hard drugs in part to increase their endurance and productivity during long trips, which can last 48 hours or more. >click to read<11:44
No wonder there’s a problem! – Deep sea fishermen pull in big catch of cocaine, worth nearly $1M, off Charleston coast >click to read<
Letter: Fishing regulations not sole culprit, – alcohol, substance abuse, and injuries
In response to Auditi Guha’s article, “Life after sea: SouthCoast fishermen grapple with homelessness” in the Feb. 9, issue, I find it important to acknowledge homelessness among fishermen is not a one-dimensional issue Read more@ SCT 07:36
