DRUGS IN OUR INDUSTRY: A HARD LOOK AT A SHITTY REALITY

– The Sharing Shed

Let’s not beat around the bush: drugs are in our industry, and they’re fucking it up.  I’m talking meth, weed, prescription pills being used and passed round like Panadol, and then there's booze being necked daily like it’s a vitamin. We've had a good look at the effects of that one already — and as some of you have stated in the comments on that blog, alcohol is as bad a drug as any other. It’s legal, it’s normalized, and to be honest, put up on a bit of a pedestal, but it’s ruining just as many lives as meth, just slower and quieter. And weed? That’s become the drug we joke about, say we "don't mind" and "go better" on — but it's holding plenty of good people back.

We get that some drugs — when prescribed and used properly — can be helpful and often crucial! Pain relief, ADHD treatments, even medicinal cannabis… they’ve got their place when managed under proper medical care. We’re not here to debate the legal use of prescribed medication. That’s between you and your doctor. This blog is about the other stuff — the misuse, the abuse, the shady shit that creeps into our sheds and takes over people’s lives. The stuff that’s breaking good people down and giving the rest of us a shit name by association.

This isn’t about being the fun police. It’s about calling out the reality. Because over the years, drugs have become a harmful blight on what good does happen within the industry. And there is good — tonnes of it. Bloody good people doing bloody good work, day in and day out.

If we could sort this issue out? Imagine the progress. The professionalism. The pride. We’d start getting the respect, the recognition, and the resources this industry deserves — because people would see we’re serious about the work we do and each other.

We're also not here to wag fingers, we want to start conversations — to shine a bloody big spotlight on a problem that’s killing momentum, reputations, bodies, and in some cases, people.

It’s also for the good buggers in this industry — the ones who are here because they love it. The genuine grafters who show up sharp, do a hard day’s mahi, and want to get ahead. The ones chasing goals, not gear. Because they’re sick of seeing it too. Sick of carrying the slack, covering for chaos, and watching good crews get dragged down by one or two people who can’t sort their shit. This yarn’s for them as much as anyone. It’s time to draw a line in the sand. It takes a bit from everyone — support, honesty, and yeah, sometimes some harsh-as-fuck truths. If you care about this industry, about your team, the people in it and about your future, now’s the time to speak up and step up.

Now, I’m no saint — I’ve tried a bit of all sorts in my time. Alcohol was my main drug of choice, and, it’s the one that caused the most damage to me personally. It’s also the one that’s been the hardest to kick. If I had a few drinks in me, I was game for just about anything (most people who know me can attest to that). That’s the truth. Booze made me brave – or stupid – depending how you look at it.  I got up to all sorts of shit and dabbled in all sorts of what I thought was fun while I was half-cut or wasted. All to find that elusive "good time".  Pills, nose candy and even the odd bit of harder gear.  I guess the booze in some ways was a bit of an "enabler".  But none of that stuck. I was fucking lucky to be honest, I had a solid crew of mates and a tight-knit family that kept me grounded. They helped me see things for what they were – kept things in perspective when it could’ve all gone the other way.  It’s that support that pulled me through. And it’s why I care so much about our people and what it's doing to us as an industry out there now.

THE REAL COST – IT’S MORE THAN YOU THINK

1. Mental Toll – It’ll Break Your Head

You might think a bit of crystal will help you get through the day, a few cones or a few cold ones help you unwind, slow things down, or manage your headspace — but long-term? You're fucking yourself slowly.

• Meth destroys sleep, emotion control, and leads to psychosis and paranoia.

• Alcohol is a depressant. Regular heavy drinking leads to anxiety, mood swings, poor sleep, and eventually serious depression.

• Weed affects memory, motivation, and decision-making. The “am I going better” myth? Study after study says otherwise – coordination, focus, and short-term recall all dip.

2. Physical Toll – The Body Can’t Keep Up

Add drugs or alcohol to the mix in our game?

• Alcohol & weed slow reaction times. That means injury. For you, or the sheep.

• Weed affects lung function. Daily users get wheezy, short of breath, and knackered quicker. Asthma NZ backs this.

• Alcohol ruins your recovery. It spikes inflammation, delays muscle repair, and leaves you sore and sluggish.

• Meth is pure nervous system destruction. One day you feel invincible, the next you're wrecked.

3. Emotional Shitstorm – Hurts More Than You Think

Whether it’s meth-fueled paranoia, alcohol-fueled anger, or weed-fueled apathy — emotions take a hiding.

• Booze turns off your filter and fucks your judgement. Arguments start. Relationships blow up. Jobs are lost.

• Weed flattens ambition. You might not be angry, but you also don’t care. No drive. No focus. Nothing gets finished. And look out for those ones who do take a bit of a turn for the worse when they can't get it!

• Trust in the shed goes fast. Missed days, stoned smoko breaks, hungover mornings — your crew and the farmers are watching, even if they’re not saying anything.

4. Money – The Silent Killer

• A weekend on the tins or a constant weed habit costs more than you think. Even just $40 a day adds up to $280 a week — over $14,000 a year. That’s a mortgage payment, a good wagon, or an unforgettable family trip.

• When that kind of cash is going on a habit, the first things to go are often the most important — power bills, food for the kids, fuel in the car, rent or mortgage payments. Miss one, maybe you scrape by. Miss two or three, and you're working just to catch up. Next thing you know, the habit owns you.

• You start living for the next hit, not the next payday. You forget what the hell you’re even working for. Feeding your family, getting ahead, setting something up for your kids — that all fades into the background while you chase a quick fix.

• Missed work means missed pay — and the less reliable you are, contractors talk and the less likely you will be employed by the guy up the road. Next thing, your reputation is shot. Future work down the gurgler.

• And you? You’re broke, burnt out, and stuck in the same cycle. Chasing Friday, dreading Monday, with nothing to show for it but debt and stress.

THE MAIN CULPRITS

METH – FAST, HARD, AND FUCKING DANGEROUS

Meth (or P) isn’t a party drug — it’s a full-blown wrecking ball. And it’s hitting people in ALL industries ALL over the country.

• Addictive as hell: You can get hooked fast, and once you're in, it's brutal to get out.

• Mental meltdown: Paranoia, psychosis, anger, and deep depression hit hard. Meth rewires your brain and not in a good way.

• Physical damage: It trashes your nervous system. Wrecks your teeth, skin, appetite, and sleep. Your body ages and is eaten away faster than a sheep with flystrike.

• Workplace chaos: People on meth are erratic. One day they’re flying, the next day they’re wrecked. Unreliable, risky with gear, and dangerous to have around people, stock or machinery.

• Family fallout: Meth turns good people into strangers. It burns through money, relationships, and trust.

• The cost? In 2023, meth use cost New Zealand over $1.3 billion a year in social harm (NZ Drug Foundation)

And still, it’s creeping into sheds. Dealers turning up to shearing quarters. Bags being passed in the vans. People chasing the high instead of the job.

This isn’t a little problem. It’s a full-blown industry crisis. If meth is around you, or you’re battling it — it’s time to pull the pin. Pulling the pin doesn’t mean packing it in. It means making a call to change things before it gets worse. It means asking for help, being honest with your family and your friends, stepping away from the people or places feeding the habit. It means choosing your family, your friends, your job, your health, and your future over a short-lived high.  You might think it’s too hard, or you’ll lose face — but you won’t. What you’ll gain is your life back. It starts with one honest chat. One call. One choice to stop heading down the wrong track and start getting back on your feet.

If it’s not you, but you see it in someone else — don’t look away. Talk to them. Stand beside them. Back them. That’s how we need to fix this, one person at a time.

WEED – THE SNEAKY ONE

• Daily users have worse attention, slower reactions, and poorer coordination.

• A 2020 Royal Society of NZ review confirms: regular cannabis use harms memory, brain development, and motivation.

• Weed lingers in your system. You’re not clean after a kip and a coffee. You’re still risky to employ.

• Thinking you "go better on it"? That’s a myth. It’s a placebo wrapped in a culture that needs to change.

• People get grumpy when they can't get it! This really shows.

And here’s the tricky part — because meth is such a monster, people tend to brush off weed as “not that bad.” But we see it daily. The foggy heads, the lack of drive, the no-shows, and the can't-be-fucked attitudes. It stands out like dog's balls. Just because it's more accepted doesn't mean it's not holding people back. Especially when it’s every day, year after year. It’s not harmless — and it’s not helping give our industry the professional look it deserves!

ALCOHOL – THE LEGAL DRUG KILLING US SOFTLY

• Alcohol is the most widely used and harmful drug in Aotearoa, linked to over 5,000 deaths a year.

• It messes with your brain, body, sleep, and guts — in ways most don’t realise until years later.

In the shearing industry, it’s bloody normal to have a slab on hand for a good days work or to celebrate a personal milestone or PB. Even the old boys will tell you “it’s just what we’ve always done.” And yeah, tradition has its place — but some of those traditions need a bloody makeover. Just because it’s been the norm, doesn’t mean it’s still serving us now. If the default is beers over better choices, or celebrations that lead to carnage instead of connection, then maybe it’s time to rethink how we do it. You can still mark a big day, still have a laugh, still keep the culture — just without it turning into a downward spiral every time.

We've gone deep on alcohol already in another blog post: Booze, Bullshit & Breaking the Cycle. If this bit hits close to home, have a read — there’s plenty in there on how to spot the patterns, break the cycle, and start front-footing your life again.

OTHER DRUGS – THE QUIET CREEPERS

Let’s not forget the other shit creeping in under the radar. Stuff that doesn’t get talked about as much but is absolutely doing damage:

• MDMA (ecstasy) – Sounds fun on a night out, right? Until the come-down hits. Depression, anxiety, dehydration, and cooked serotonin levels. Regular users often end up flat and fried.

• Prescription pills – Painkillers like Tramadol and Oxy, ADHD meds like Ritalin, and anti-anxiety meds. Taken without a script or mixed with booze, these turn dangerous fast. Dependency sneaks in — and suddenly you’re not “managing pain,” you’re managing withdrawal.

• Synthetic highs and party pills – Full of god-knows-what. Cheap, risky, and no one really knows what’s in them. These have put people in hospital and even worse from one bad hit.

• Coke and speed – Less common, but they’re around. Burn your sleep, blow out your heart rate, and absolutely trash your body’s ability to recover.

These ones don’t always look like “drug abuse” — they’re often hidden in social circles, treated like weekend treats or energy hacks. But the effects are just as brutal. Inconsistent moods, burnout, broken routines, and the same story: late, off your game, and risking your spot in the team.

WHO’S GETTING HURT? EVERYONE.

You. Your team. Your boss. The farmer. Your partner. Your kids. The animals!

This shit doesn’t happen in a vacuum or a bubble. One person's habit ripples out like a stone in a trough — and before you know it, you're dragging everyone down with you!

• In the van – Turn up late, stoned, or off your chops and suddenly the whole crew is feeling it too. That’s missed time, bad attitudes, and pressure rising before the day even starts.

• In the shed – Accidents happen. Focus is off. Sheep get stressed. Safety goes out the window. A big argument, a scrap or harm to an animal because someone’s off their face? That’s blood on everyone’s hands.

• Contractor wears it – Farmers complain. Word spreads. That’s everyone’s pay cheque in the firing line.

• Whānau feel it – Missed dinners. Missed birthdays. Money disappearing. Anger, silence, mistrust — it all builds. Some families never come back from it.

• Kids grow up in it – You think they don’t notice? They notice. And they copy. The next generation sees us, and they learn from what we do.

Here’s a rough truth: According to the NZ Drug Harm Index, every dollar spent on meth use causes over $6 in social harm — through lost productivity, healthcare, justice, and broken relationships. Multiply that across a team or a season, and it’s costing us — not just in cash, but in character. 

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving a shit. If someone’s use is affecting the job, the crew, or their whānau — it’s time to step in, not step away.

No one is immune in this industry — one person’s habit becomes everyone’s bloody problem.

TO THE YOUNGER CREW – YOU DESERVE BETTER

If you’re just getting started in this game, you’re probably buzzing. New sheds, new people, new experiences. But here’s the kicker — you’re also stepping into a culture where drug use has been swept under the mat for years. You’ll hear “it’s just how it is.”

It bloody shouldn’t be.

You deserve to work in a place that backs your health, your future, and your pay. Not one where you’re pressured to smoke up, keep quiet, or join in to fit in. You don’t have to pick up someone else’s bullshit habits just to earn your place. You can be better. You can change the game. And the good crews will back you for it.

IT’S HAPPENING AT WORK — AND WHY IT SHOULDN’T BE

Let’s be real — this is happening on the job. In the vans, in the quarters, behind the sheds. And that’s a massive problem. Here are a few small reasons why it shouldn't be.

• It’s illegal. Doesn’t matter how normal it’s become — drugs are against the law. You get caught on-site or behind the wheel, you’re risking more than your job. You could end up in court or worse.

• It looks bad — because it is bad. Farmers, team leaders, and other staff see it. They know it’s happening. Some turn a blind eye. But others are bloody fed up. It’s time we stop brushing it off and start calling it out.

• It’s unprofessional. Why do we think we’re any different from other industries? You wouldn’t rock into a hospital or a supermarket to work, cooked or hammered. For one, they will probably drug test you! Why should a woolshed be any different? It’s not.

• This shit is holding the industry back. We all want better facilities, better pay, more respect. But we can’t expect that while showing up wrecked, unreliable, or dangerous. If we want to be treated like professionals, we’ve got to act like it.

• It’s on all of us. The ones doing it, and the ones letting it slide. Silence makes you complicit. Speaking up makes you a leader. The shed is a workplace — not a party pad. Let’s start treating it like one.

If you’re reading this and feeling called out — good. That means you care. Let that be the start of turning it around.

SO WHY DOES IT KEEP HAPPENING?

Because we’ve let it become part of the culture:

• We think we're handling it when we're really hiding it!

• No one wants to be that guy who calls it out.

• Too many of us reckon, “It’s just part of the job,” or “Not my problem.”

• It’s easier to turn a blind eye than have a hard yarn.

• Crew leaders are so burnt out they’ve run out of bloody matches.

• Mates cover for mates when they’re off their heads instead of helping them come right.

• “She’ll be right” has replaced “Are you alright?”

• Being seen as tough still matters more than being seen as honest.

• Numbing the pain feels easier than facing what’s under it.

• We’ve stopped expecting better — and started tolerating the bare minimum.

• We’ve made space for the behaviour instead of drawing the bloody line.

But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s okay.And the longer we leave it, the harder it gets to change — until the damage is too far gone.

This way is not not working anymore.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

This is the 10 million-dollar question. And it starts with everyday action, not some top-down policy.

Here’s what you can do — whether you’re the boss, the farmer, the newbie, or somewhere in between:

• Talk to your mates. You don’t need to be an expert. Just start with: "You all good bro? You’ve been a bit off lately." or "Not judging, but I’m worried about ya." One yarn can break a cycle.

• Don’t enable it. Turning a blind eye makes you part of the problem. Pull someone up. Say it straight. Respectfully, but firmly.

• Back your leaders. If your boss or team leader is trying to lift standards, help them do it. Be the reason others step up too.

• Look after your own shit. If you’re using, ask yourself: Is this helping me? Is this helping the people I care about? Is this why I started working in the first place? Be honest. Then act.

• Use the tools. We've listed heaps of support options at the end of this blog and there are a shit load more out there if you just look! You don’t have to do it solo.

No one’s saying it’s easy. But it’s worth it. Because this is your industry too. And if you want it to be better, it starts with you.

A few simple tips to start building a better future

1. Fucking Talk About It

• Say something.

  Don’t wait until it’s too late. That awkward yarn you’re avoiding might be the one thing that pulls someone out of the shit.

• Start the kōrero.

  You don’t need fancy words. Just: “You all good bro?” or “You don’t seem yourself lately — want to talk?” can open the door.

• Call it early.

  If someone’s sliding, don’t wait ‘til they’ve lost the job, crashed the ute, or punched a mate. Get in early, while they can still turn it around.

• Don’t talk behind backs — talk to faces.

  Gossip does nothing. If you care, front up. Quietly. Firmly. Respectfully.

• It could save a family.

  It could save a job. It could save a life. Even if nothing changes right then — they’ll remember that someone gave a shit.

• And if you’re the one struggling — speak up.

  It’s not weakness. It’s courage. And it might be the first real step out of the hole.

Every shed needs one person brave enough to start the kōrero. Be that person.

2. Build a Team That Has Each Other’s Backs

This isn’t about dobbing or being the boss’s pet. It’s about having pride in your shed and the people in it. A solid crew works because they back each other, not because they cover for each other’s shit.

• No dickheads. If someone’s a danger to themselves or others, that’s not your mate — that’s a liability. The safety of the whole crew comes first.

• No secret users. If people are using during work hours — whether it’s meth, weed, pills or booze — it affects everyone. Slower work, lower pay, bad rep. One weak link drags the whole chain. Call it out! Say something!

• No bullshit. If something’s off, say it. If you need help, ask. If you see someone struggling, don’t brush it off — step in.

Culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built in the small moments: the yarn at smoko, the way you front up when someone’s slipping, the standard you set when no one’s watching.

Want a better shed? Start by being a better crew. Set the tone. Lift the bar. And if someone’s letting the whole team down, don’t just shake your head behind their back — call it. Quietly. Firmly. Respectfully. That’s leadership, and that’s how change starts.

3. Support Beats Shame

This one’s massive. Because no one ever got clean by being mocked, left out, or talked about behind their back.

• Back your mates. Not the ones dragging everyone down and refusing to change — but the ones who are trying. The ones saying, “Nah I’m off the piss this week,” or “I need to get my shit sorted.” That takes guts. Respect it.

• Be proud of the ones stepping up. It’s easy to laugh or make a sly comment. Don’t. Give them credit. They’re doing something most don’t have the balls to do.

• Don’t take the piss. No “soft cock” jokes. No “just have one” crap. You wouldn’t mock someone for going to physio when they’re injured — this is no different. It’s healing, not weakness.

• Make room for them. Shift the culture. Bring kombucha to smoko. Organise touch instead of pub sessions. Show there’s still a crew for them when they say no to the old ways.

• And if you’re the one trying to quit — tell someone.

  You don’t have to carry it alone. A few good buggers around you can make all the difference.

Shame keeps people stuck. Support gets them through.

4. Use the Tools – Help’s Out There

For YOU:

• Alcohol Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 or text 8681

  Free, confidential support for anyone struggling with drugs or alcohol. Real people, no judgement, 24/7.

• 1737 – Need to Talk?

  Call or text 1737 any time to talk to a trained counsellor. Good for when you’re not sure who else to call.

• Reframe App – www.joinreframeapp.com

  A science-based app designed to help people cut back or quit alcohol. It tracks your progress, gives you daily strategies, mindset tools, journaling prompts, and even community support if you want it. Great for anyone wanting to rethink their drinking without judgement — whether you're sober curious or looking to quit for good.

• Clearhead – www.clearhead.org.nz

  Free online mental health platform. Tracks your moods, helps with triggers, and gives you simple tools to manage stress.

For WHĀNAU & FRIENDS:

• Family Drug Support Aotearoa NZ – 0800 337 877

  For family and whānau who are supporting someone struggling. Great for tools, community, and advice on setting boundaries without losing connection.

• The Level (NZ Drug Foundation) – www.thelevel.org.nz

  Honest info about drugs, safer use, recovery, and how to talk about it. Good for users and families alike.

For CONTRACTORS AND TEAMS:

• Ignite – www.ignite.org.nz

  Ignite helps workplaces build a healthy, drug-smart culture. Great for toolbox talks, policy templates, leadership development, and crew education.

  
  

• NZ Drug Foundation – www.drugfoundation.org.nz

  The NZ Drug Foundation is one of the most trusted organisations when it comes to drug education, harm reduction, and workplace support. Whether you’re looking to understand substance use, develop a support plan for your crew, or find help for yourself or a mate — their site is loaded with honest, practical resources. Practical guides to setting up drug & alcohol policies that support, not punish. A must for every contractor or employer.

Rural Help & Recovery Support:

• Farmstrong – www.farmstrong.co.nz

  Farmstrong is a wellbeing programme for farmers and rural communities. Great info on staying mentally fit, building resilience, and looking after yourself before things go downhill.

• Rural Support Trust – 0800 787 254

  www.rural-support.org.nz

  Confidential help for rural people. They’ll point you in the right direction for mental health, addiction, financial stress, or crisis support.

Others:

• CareNZ – www.carenz.co.nz

  National provider offering individual and group counselling for drug and alcohol problems.

• Salvation Army Bridge Programme – www.salvationarmy.org.nz/bridge

  Free detox and rehab programme. One of the most established and trusted in the country.

• City Missions (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch) – www.citymission.org.nz

  Help with addiction, housing, food, and health — no judgement. A safety net when things are at rock bottom.

Support for our Aussie Mates:

• Shedway – www.shedway.com.au Shedway provides support, guidance, and mental health awareness tailored to the Australian shearing and woolhandling industry. They focus on building culture, leadership, and resilience in sheds across the ditch.

• Sober in the Country – www.soberinthecountry.org This mob are leading the charge on alcohol awareness in rural Australia. They’ve got practical tools, real yarns, and support systems for anyone wanting to cut back or quit the booze. No shame, no judgment — just support.

FINAL WORD: OUR SHED, OUR STANDARD

We do the mahi.

We break ourselves on a daily basis.

We build banter and good times.

We bloody graft.

 We laugh when our bodies are wrecked.

We rib each other into gear.

We get through it all.

But we’re not bulletproof.

We’re not here to preach. No one's expecting saints. We just reckon this kōrero needs to start— because sweeping it under the wool table has got us nowhere. If even one person reads this and decides to change, speaks up, or helps a mate out, then it’s worth it. That’s a win in our book.

We want the best for the industry — for the crews, the families, and the future. That starts with honesty. It starts with yarns. It starts with realizing that there’s a better way, and good people ready to help if you’re willing to reach out.

Let’s get rid of the idea that you have to suffer in silence. Let's back each other. Let’s bring pride, professionalism, and purpose back into the sheds. And if someone’s stuck in it — let’s help them out, not push them deeper.

This is our industry. Let’s not let shit like this (or forestry) be the reason it crumbles.