From Knowledge to Action: Engaging Washington's Commercial Fishing Community in Substance Use Awareness and Prevention

Details

• Journal Article:
  Journal of Agromedicine
• Personal Author:
  Dennistoun, Autumn ; Kasner, Edward ; Damewood, Denise ; Maw, Robert ; Willgerodt, Mayumi
• Description:
  Objectives: Commercial fishing is among the most hazardous occupations in the United States, with high rates of injury, chronic pain, and opioid-related overdose deaths. Washington's fishing community has expressed concern about substance use, highlighting the need for practical, industry-specific training. Methods: This project applied the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework to adapt and implement an overdose response training within the Fishermen First Aid and Safety Training (FFAST) program in Washington state. Training combined a didactic presentation, hands-on naloxone (NARCAN®) administration practice, and distribution of harm reduction materials. Results: There were 25 commercial fishermen who participated, primarily shellfish harvesters. In pre-training, 54% reported knowledge of naloxone (NARCAN®) administration, yet 91% did not carry naloxone (NARCAN®) on their vessels, revealing a gap between knowledge and practical application. Post-training, 100% reported increased knowledge and confidence, and 70% indicated plans to include naloxone (NARCAN®) in their first aid kits. Participants emphasized the value of hands-on practice and identified several barriers, including occupational isolation, limited access to healthcare, and stigma. Conclusions: Integrating overdose response into established safety programs provides a feasible, community-driven strategy to address opioid risk among fishermen. This training improves emergency preparedness and highlights the importance of translating theoretical knowledge into action within high-risk, remote occupational settings such as commercial fishing vessels.
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Safety Substance-Related Disorders
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Commercial Fishing; Fishermen Safety; Fishing Industry; Harm Reduction; Knowledge To Action Framework; Naloxone Training; Occupational Health; Occupational Injury Prevention; Opioid Overdose; Safety Training Programs Substance Use; Opioids; Drug Overdose; Fishing Industry; First Aid; Safety Education; Training; Intervention Effectiveness; Isolation; Injury Prevention;
• Source:
  J Agromedicine 2026 Mar; :[Epub ahead of print]
• ISSN:
  1059-924X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Washington ; Alaska ; San Francisco Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  9 pdf pages
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071255
• Contact Point Address:
  Autumn Dennistoun, School of Nursing, Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, Health Sciences Building, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Ave, Seattle, WA 98195-7266, USA
• Email:
  autumnd@uw.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Naloxone (CAS RN 465-65-6)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:122fc809de55a390da331d5953869b850f4dc4178813844151e8c34bf5d934762a44d5377dcde5e6a3645bc0ce222ee33aca05736fce91e6f94eb9941d1646dc
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/258733/cdc_258733_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 768.17 KB ]