The national Institute of Health want to know if last year’s oil spill made people sick so they are looking for people throughout the Gulf Coast region to find out if the oil spill caused any long-term health problems. It is thought that this study will go on for years as results of the spill can show up years later. Did the spill make you sick? Is the spill going to lead to long term depression? What they need now are oil spill workers to help the find out. Dr. Dale Sandler with the national Institute of health stated, “We’re actually looking to better understand what happened to people who were involved during the oil spill.”
Some of the local people are struggling with depression and some say they have become physically ill. There is no doubt that the prescribing of many drugs will be going on from this incident. This study will be very confidential and with those that will be interviewed they will be followed up with in a few years. Sandler said, “We’re hoping to carry the study forward for 10 years.”
The beaches are clean and that does not mean the effects of the oil spill have gone away. It may be a long time before the exact extent of the oil’s impact on this region.
Florida drug rehabs may find many more patients on their hands if this reported depression leads to drug abuse.
Officials are interested in talking with anyone who helped in the clean-up. The survey would include a telephone interview, a possible home visit and then a questionnaire that would be repeated every few years.
Rehabs in Mobile, a city that definitely felt the impact of the oil spill, are left wondering whether or not there might be unseen complications from the disaster.
It is without a doubt that some of these people will be prescribed anti depressant drugs. Some may be taking anti anxiety drugs because of the loss experienced from this oil spill. This will affect the southern region for years to come. In dollars and in peace of mind.
