Transcript English

Alcohol &
drugs
Supervisor
(drugs)
Warning signs of substance
abuse
Excessive
absences/tardiness
 Frequent requests for
time off
 Numerous accidents

Warning signs of substance
abuse

Pattern of accidents

Noticeable increase in medical
insurance claims
Warning signs of substance
abuse

Unsatisfactory work performance

Lack of concentration/
decreased productivity
after lunch/breaks

Long lunch hours
Warning signs of substance
abuse

Non-work-related visits from other
employees/strangers

Frequent trips to
restroom/water
fountain
Warning signs of substance
abuse

Frequent visits to vehicle/parking lot

Drowsiness, slurred speech, lack of
coordination,
inability to
concentrate, nausea
Warning signs of substance
abuse

Agitation, rapid or slurred speech,
dizziness, dilated pupils

Bloodshot eyes, runny nose

Drastic weight
changes
Warning signs of substance
abuse

Marked change in mood, attitude,
and behavior

Deterioration in personal
grooming/hygiene
Warning signs of substance
abuse

Wearing sunglasses and longsleeved shirts at inappropriate times

Frequent need to borrow money

Avoidance of
supervisors
Regulatory requirements

Section 382.307

Section 382.603
Regulatory requirements

Suspicion must be based on specific,
contemporaneous, articulable
observations concerning appearance,
behavior, speech, or body odors
Regulatory requirements

May include the chronic and
withdrawal effects of controlled
substances

Only one supervisor or company
official is required to make the
observations
Regulatory requirements

May require a driver to submit to a
drug test at any time reasonable
suspicion exists while the driver is on
duty
Regulatory requirements

A written and signed record of
observations must be completed
within 24 hours of the observed
behavior or before the results are
released, whichever is first
Symptoms of drug use
Eyes/facial expression
 Speech
 Body movements/coordination
 Behavior
 Other

Approaching a driver

Explain your concern

Require the driver to go
for both alcohol and
drug testing
Approaching a driver

Explain that based on
regulations and observations
that the driver must be
evaluated

Explain that a short health
assessment will be done
Approaching a driver

Do not allow the driver to
drive

Driver should be
accompanied by
company official
Additional approaches/
difficult situations

Becomes
defensive/denies your
comments

Talks non-stop

Cries
Additional approaches/
difficult situations

Remains silent

Aggressive/belligerent

Uncooperative
Marijuana

Alters the brain’s interpretation of
incoming messages
Marijuana

Leaves

Seeds

Hashish

Smells like a combination of sweet alfalfa
and incense
Signs and symptoms of
marijuana use

Reddened eyes

Slowed speech

Distinctive odor on
clothing

Lackadaisical attitude
Signs and symptoms of
marijuana use

Chronic fatigue/lack of
motivation

Irritating cough

Chronic sore throat
Health effects of marijuana
use

Irritates lungs

One joint = ½ to 1
pack of cigarettes

Causes the heart to race
Health effects of marijuana
use

Respiratory and
sinus infections

Lowers body’s
immune system

Changes brain cells and brain waves
Effects of marijuana on
pregnancy

Stillborn births

Early termination of pregnancy

Higher infant mortality rate

Underweight newborn babies
Effects of marijuana on
mental function

Delayed decision making

Diminished coordination

Impaired short-term memory

Impaired signal detection
Effects of marijuana on
mental function

Impaired tracking

Erratic cognitive function

Distortion in time estimation

“Acute brain syndrome”
Effects of acute use or
overdose of marijuana

Aggressive urges

Anxiety

Confusion
Effects of acute use or
overdose of marijuana

Fearfulness

Hallucinations

Heavy sedation
Effects of acute use or
overdose of marijuana

Immobility

Mental dependency

Panic
Effects of acute use or
overdose of marijuana

Paranoid reaction

Unpleasant distortions in body image
Marijuana’s impact on the
workplace

Long term effect
on performance
Cocaine

Used medically as an anesthetic

Energizes the
entire central
nervous system
Cocaine

Fine powder

Small crystalline
rock (“rock,
crack, free base”)
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

Financial problems

Frequent/extended absences

Increased physical
activity and fatigue
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

Isolation and withdrawal

Secretive behaviors
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

Frequent non-business visitors,
delivered packages, phone calls

Unusual defensiveness,
anxiety, agitation
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

Wide mood swings

Runny or irritated nose

Difficulty
concentrating
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

Dilated pupils and visual impairment

Restlessness

Sensation of bugs
crawling on skin
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

High blood pressure, heart
palpitations, irregular rhythm

Hallucinations
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

Hyperexcitability and overreaction to
stimulus

Insomnia

Paranoia
Signs and symptoms of
cocaine use

Profuse sweating

Dry mouth

Talkativeness
Health effects of cocaine use

Regular use may upset the brain’s
chemical balance
Health effects of cocaine use

Causes the heart to beat faster

Strong psychological dependency
Cocaine’s impact on the
workplace

Instability

Lapses in attention

Theft/dealing
Cocaine’s impact on the
workplace

Violent behavior

Forgetfulness,
absenteeism,
tardiness, missed
assignments
Opiates

Alleviate pain

Depress body functions and
reactions

Strong euphoric
feeling
Opiates

Opium

Morphine

Codeine

Heroin
Signs and symptoms of
opiate use

Mood changes

Impaired mental functioning

Constricted
pupils

Depression and
apathy
Signs and symptoms of
opiate use

Impaired coordination

Physical fatigue/drowsiness

Nausea,
vomiting,
constipation
Health effects of
opiate use

Hepatitis

AIDS

Can increase pain tolerance
The social issues of opiate
use

Over 500,000 heroin addicts in U.S.

Even greater number obtain
narcotics through prescriptions

Tolerance and dependency cause an
increasing financial burden
The effect of opiates on the
workplace
 Impairment of physical and mental
function
Amphetamines

Central nervous system stimulants

Speed up the mind
and body
Amphetamines

Legal use limited to a narrow range
of medical conditions

Capsules

Usually taken by
mouth
Amphetamines

Methamphetamine

Powder

Taken orally,
injected, or
snorted
Signs and symptoms of
amphetamine use

Hyperexcitability/restlessness

Dilated pupils

Increased heart
rate and blood
pressure
Signs and symptoms of
amphetamine use

Heart palpitations/irregular beats

Profuse sweating

Rapid respiration
Signs and symptoms of
amphetamine use

Confusion

Panic

Talkativeness

Inability to
concentrate
Health effects of
amphetamine use

Strong psychological dependence

Psychosis

Heart attack/stroke

Heart and brain damage
Health effects of
amphetamine use

Impulsive risk-taking behavior

Bizarre and violent acts

Withdrawal from drug may cause
severe physical and mental
depression
The effect of amphetamine use
on the workplace
 Physical fatigue and depression
makes the operation of equipment
or
vehicles dangerous
Phencyclidine (PCP)

Acts as a depressant and
hallucinogen

Sometimes acts as
a stimulant
Phencyclidine (PCP)

Powder

May be mixed with marijuana or
tobacco and
smoked
Signs and symptoms of PCP
use

Impaired coordination

Severe confusion and agitation

Extreme mood shift

Muscle rigidity
Signs and symptoms of PCP
use
Jerky eye movements
 Dilated pupils
 Profuse sweating
 Rapid heartbeat
 Dizziness

Health effects
of PCP use

Potential for accidents and overdose
emergencies high

Can cause irreversible memory loss,
personality changes, and thought
disorders
The effect of PCP
on the workplace

Acute toxicity

Toxic psychosis

Drug induced schizophrenia

PCP induced depression