Workplace Drug Testing - a'TEST Consultants, Inc.
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Transcript Workplace Drug Testing - a'TEST Consultants, Inc.
Jeff Sims, C-SAPA, C-SI
Immediate Past President
The Substance Abuse Program
Administrators Association
Most aggressive actions occurred since the late 1980’s:
- The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 (directed U.S. Secretary of Labor
to initiate efforts to address the issue)
- President Reagan’s Executive Order 12564, Drug-Free Federal
Workplace (made it a condition of employment to refrain from
using illegal drugs)
- Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (required federal contractors
and grantees to have drug-free workplaces)
- Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998 (establish grant programs that
assist small businesses in developing drug-free workplaces)
- Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991 (required transportation
industry employers to conduct alcohol and drug testing for
employees in “safety sensitive” positions) It created a model for
non-regulated employers now follow.
In 2006, estimated 20.4 million Americans were current
illicit drug users, which is a rate of 8% among all
Americans. No significant changes in recent years.
About 57 million people, or more than one-fifth (23.0
%) of the population age 12 and over, participated in
binge drinking (having five or more drinks one the
same occasion at least once in the past 30 days).
In 2006, of the 17.9 million current illicit drug users age
18 and over, 13.4 million (74.9 percent) were employed.
Similarly, among 54.0 million adult binge drinkers, 42.9
million (79.4 percent) were employed.
Of the 20.6 million adults classified with substance
dependence or abuse, 12.7 million (61.5 percent) were
employed full-time.
Data provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, (2007). Results from the
2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H32, DHHS Publication No. SMA 07-4293). Rockville, MD.
While about half of all U.S. workers work for a small
and medium sized businesses (those with fewer than
500 employees), and nine in ten employed current
illicit drug users.
Almost nine in ten workers with alcohol abuse
dependences work for small medium employers.
However, smaller firms do not perform testing.
More likely to be involved in an accident and
file a workers’ compensation claim
More likely to quit or get fired
More likely to steal from workplace
More likely to miss work
More likely to be in a confrontation
Less productive
Substance abusers are:
3.6 times more likely to be involved in a
workplace accident
5 times more likely to file a workers’
compensation claim
As many as 50% of all workers’ compensation
claims involve substance abuse
80% of those injured in “serious”
drug-related accidents at work
are not the drug abusing employees…
but innocent co-workers
and others.
Return On Investment
How much does s/a cost per drug user?
$7,000 (national average)
How many drug users do you have?
17% of workforce (national average)
Use their figure
How many employees do you have?
Do the Math!
250 employees
multiplied by % of drug users in their
workplace (5%)
multiplied by $7000
equals cost of s/a
compare to cost of drug testing
(300 tests at $45 per test average)
250 x 5% =13
13 x $7,000 =$91,000
300 (drug tests/year) x $45 (cost per test)
=$13,500
$ 91,000
-13,500
=$ 77,500 SAVINGS!
A comprehensive drug-free workplace
program includes:
1. Policy
2.
3.
4.
5.
Supervisor training
Employee education
Employee assistance
Drug testing (Alcohol testing)
Employees
All employees
Safety-sensitive employees
All employees under certain circumstances
Temps, contract workers, seasonal hires
Union workers
Traditionally…
pre-employment
post-accident
reasonable suspicion
Random
Return to duty
Follow up
The primary drugs of abuse
Marijuana
Cocaine
Opiates
10/1/2010 w/ separate confirm for heroin
Amphetamines
10/1/2010 w/separate confirm for MDMA
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Observe
Document
Confront
Refer
Follow through
Watch For These Signs
Absenteeism
“On the job” absenteeism
Accidents
Difficulty in concentration
Confusion
Spasmodic job performance
Lowered efficiency
Physical behaviors
Relationship issues at work
Only observable and
verifiable facts
allowed - not rumors
Record all actions and
behaviors
Include statements or
pertinent facts
State time, date,
location
List witnesses
Use documentation to
outline job
performance issues
Avoid being
manipulated by
accepting excuses
Be firm and honest
Do not get personally
involved
Do not become an
armchair diagnostician
After any confrontation, a referral system is needed
Outpatient services
Inpatient services
Support groups
Testing programs
Return to work contract
Explain company’s disciplinary policy
Set up specific work goals and criteria
Evaluate job performance
Follow-up drug and alcohol testing
Family issues
The brains pleasure centers
Speed things up
Slow things down
Confuse signals
Block signals
Combination of the
above
Drug: Marijuana, Hashish, Hashish Oil
Classification: Hallucinogen
Administration: Smoked or swallowed
Appearance:
Dry crushed leaves (marijuana)
Hand-rolled cigarettes (joints)
Hard chunks of resin (hashish)
Dark viscous liquid (hashish oil)
Detection time in urine: _______?
In 2001, over 12 million Americans age 12 and older used marijuana at least once in the
month prior to being surveyed. That is more than three quarters (76 percent) of the
total number of Americans who used any illicit drug in the past month in 2001. Of the
76 percent, more than half (56 percent) consumed only marijuana; 20 percent used
marijuana and another illicit drug; and the remaining 24 percent used an illicit drug or
drugs other than marijuana(1).
Although marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, among
students in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades nationwide its use remained stable from
1999 through 2001(2). Among 8th graders, however, past year use has decreased, from
18.3 percent in 1996 to 15.4 percent in 2001. Also in 2001, more than half (57.4
percent) of 12th graders believed it was harmful to smoke marijuana regularly and 79.3
percent disapproved of regular marijuana use. Since 1975, 83 percent to 90 percent of
every 12th grade class surveyed has found it "fairly easy" or "very easy" to obtain
marijuana(3).
Data for drug-related hospital emergency department visits in the continental United
States recently showed a 15 percent increase in the number of visits to an emergency
room that were induced by or related to the use of marijuana from 96,426 in 2000 to
110,512 in 2001. The 12 to 34 age range was involved most frequently in these
mentions. For emergency room patients in the 12 to 17 age range, the rate of marijuana
mentions increased 23 percent between 1999 and 2001 (from 55 to 68 per 100,000
population) and 126 percent (from 30 to 68 per 100,000 population) since 1994(4).
MARIJUANA EFFECTS
–
–
–
–
Short term memory loss
Depth perception issues
Dreamy, relaxed feeling
Increased senses of sight, smell, taste, and
hearing – leads up to excessive smoking and
“munchies”
– Hallucinations
– Anxiety
– Impaired muscle coordination
Sponsored by a’ TEST consultants, inc., and funded by the U.S. Small Business
Administration – Paul D. Coverdell Drug-Free Workplace Program
Rapid, loud talking
Sleepiness
Lack of motivation
Reduced concentration
Reduced inhibitions
Sexual dysfunction
Giggly, ridiculous
conversation
Drug: Cocaine
Classification: Stimulant, local anesthetic
Administration: Snorted, injected, smoked
Appearance: White crystalline powder, bitter numbing
taste, odorless, from coca plant leaves
Clinical Effects: Euphoria, motor and verbal
hyperactivity, mood swings, inflated self-esteem
Detection Time in Urine: 2-4 days
Weight loss
Paranoia
Anxiety, irritability
Elevated blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Sleeplessness-fatigue
Psychological problems
Cold sweats
Coma, convulsions
Dilated pupils
Nose bleeds
Depressed or sad
Talkativeness
Self-confidence < >
Smoked (freebase) immediate
Injected seconds
Snorted 30 seconds
Orally 3-5- mins
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Min. Length Per Minute
Max. Length Per Minute
Length of a rush
Drugs: Morphine, Heroin, Codeine,
Oxycodone Hydromorphone
Classification: Narcotic analgesic
Administration: Swallowed, smoked or
injected
Appearance: White, brown, or black powder,
injectable liquids, tablets, capsules (various
sizes and colors)
Detection Time in Urine: 3 days
Euphoria
Drowsiness
Respiration
depressed
Pain management
Psychological
dependence
Sleepiness
Slowed reflexes
Confusion
Poor concentration
Slurred speech
Constricted pupils
Shaking
Diarrhea or cramps
MRO’s may request quantitative values
of codeine/morphine
2000 ng/ml or less suggest poppy seeds or
RX
2500 ng/ml or above with codeine present
rules out poppy seeds, may be a RX, or
illegal use of morphine or heroin
Drug: Phencyclidine
Classification: Hallucinogen, anesthetic
Administration: Smoked, swallowed, or injected
Appearance: Pills, capsules, powders
Detection Time in Urine: 2 days or 8 days in
severe overdose
Psychedelic reaction
Hallucinations
Combative behavior
Symptoms of
insanity
Catatonic state
Reduced work
motivation
Convulsion
Muscle rigidity
Profuse sweating
Slurred speech
Involuntary eye
movements
Inappropriate remarks
Drug: Methamphetamine, amphetamine
Classification: CNS stimulant (speed)
Administration: Swallowed, injected, smoked
Appearance: Powders, crystals, capsules,
tablets
Detection Time in Urine: 24 - 48 hours
Palpitations
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Dizziness
Insomnia
Hallucinations
Euphoria then restlessness
Agitation
Irritability
Extreme paranoia
Weight loss
Malnutrition
Tooth decay
Drug: Ethanol
Classification: Psychoactive
Administration: Wine, beer, liquor
Appearance: Liquid, several colors
Detection in Urine: Generally 1 ounce of
alcohol is eliminated per hour
Note: Urine alcohol testing cannot withstand a
court challenge
Trembling or DT’s
Dizziness
Staggering
Weepy, bloodshot eyes
Lethargic behavior
Hallucinations, convulsions
Aggressiveness
Nausea or vomiting
Alcohol breath(fruity
smell) do not be
mistaken by a
diabetic(acetone)
Incoherent (slurred)
speech
Unconsciousness
Any Questions????
Contact Jeff @ 800.837.8648, Ext 117, or
by email @ [email protected]