Post on 01-Dec-2014
description
Misconception:
Drug Testing by EmployersIs Really Just For Safety
Reasons
Drug Use and Abuse in the Workplace:
Decreases productivity◦ 2.2 times more likely to ask for early dismissal or
time off◦ 2.5 times more likely to be absent 8 or more days◦ 3 times more likely to be late for work◦ Marijuana biggest culprit – “laid back, dude”◦ Function at about 67% of capacity
Drug Use and Abuse in the Workplace:
Negatively affects the work environment and culture◦ Feelings of “picking up the slack”◦ Behavior◦ Affects on customers
Decreased trust in company Credibility issues
◦ Increased employee turnover
Drug Use and Abuse in the Workplace:
Increased Risk, Claims and Negative Financial Impact 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident 5 times more likely to file a worker’s comp claim Cost employers 2 times as much in medical claims Increased incidents of theft and embezzlement Increased chances of sexual harassment claims Increases in other claims and litigation
According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA):
18 to 25 years old Less educated Male Divorced or Never Married White Low Paid
Note: This is GeneralDifferent Drugs Each Have Their Own
Demographics
Industries With The Highest Rates of Illicit Drug Use:
Food Preparation Workers Waiters/Waitresses/Bartenders Construction Workers Those that work in Transportation/Material
Moving
14.8 Million Americans Are Illicit Drug Users
77% Are Employed(That is 9.4 Million People)
So, what are your chances of hiring someone with a substance abuse
problem?
Most commonly abused drugs in the workplace, according to the DEA:
Marijuana (THC) Amphetamine/Methamphetamine
◦ Including ADHD Drugs Barbiturates Benzodiazepenes Opioids
◦ Prescription Drug Abuse Over-The-Counter Medications
Most highly abused illicit drug
Potency is increasing Over 25 million
individuals age 12 or older used marijuana in 2007
Highest use age group: 18 – 25
Stimulants◦ Appetite Suppression◦ Euphoria◦ Increased Focus◦ Used on college campuses
during finals Includes:
◦ Adderall◦ Ritalin◦ Phentermine
Stimulant◦ Increases alertness and energy◦ Induces euphoria◦ Enhances self-esteem and sexual pleasure◦ “Tweaking”◦ “Meth Mouth”
Biggest Problem – Usually Entire Families are Hooked
Many times “home cooked”◦ Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine (eg Sudafed, Contac)◦ Red Phosphorous◦ Iodine◦ Other “ingredients”◦ Think “Breaking Bad”
Faces of Meth:
Faces of Meth:
Depressants Usually prescribed as
“sleeping pills” Includes
◦ Phenobarbital◦ Amobartibal (Amytal)◦ Pentobarbital (Nembutal)◦ Secobarbital (Seconal)
Depressants Prescribed For:
◦ Anxiety◦ Sleep Disorders◦ Muscle Relaxant
Includes but not limited to:◦ Alprazolam (Xanax)◦ Bromazepam◦ Lorazepam (Ativan)◦ Diazepam (Valium)◦ Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)◦ Oxazepam (Serax)
Opioids in drug testing panels means “natural opiates”◦ Morphine◦ Codeine◦ Heroin◦ Does not include semi –synthetic or synthetic
opiates commonly used for pain management
Used for:◦ Pain◦ Cough◦ Diarrhea
Be Aware of the Over-The-Counter
Products
Hand Sanitizer Dextromethorphan
(cough/cold meds) Inhalants/Volatiles
Five (5) Panel Drug Screen (DOT or Non-DOT)
Marijuana (THC) Amphetamine/Methamphetamine Cocaine Opiates Phencyclidine (PCP)
Ten (10) Panel Drug Screen
Five (5) Panel Drug Screen Plus Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Propoxyphene Methadone
Many commonly abused drugs if only a 5 panel is tested
Prescription Pain Medications◦ Synthetic Opioids
Hydrocodone (Vicodin®) Oxycodone (OxyContin) Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®) Meperidine (Demerol®) Fentanyl
Muscle Relaxants/Sleep Aids◦ Ambien (A hypnotic, not a barbiturate)◦ Carisoprodol, aka Soma (A muscle relaxer)
How do they get them?◦ “Doctor shopping”◦ Theft◦ Forged Prescriptions◦ Unscrupulous Physicians and/or Pharmacists◦ Internet Pharmacies◦ Friends and Family
Many pain medication abusers commit insurance fraud to fund their problem
2007 Statistics 5.2% of pain med drug abusers stole them
from friends and/or family 8.9% of pain med drug abusers bought
them from friends and/or family 56.5% of pain med drug abusers were given
the drugs from their friends and/or family◦ Old and new prescriptions◦ From their “stock”
“Old School” Drug Testing Panels and Programs
Type of Specimens Tested◦ Detection Periods◦ Adulteration Opportunities◦ “Quick Kits”
Program Administration◦ Too much time between notice and drug test◦ Anticipated random testing
References used from and Resources: National Institute on Drug & Alcohol (NIDA)
www.drugabuse.gov SAMHSA, www.workplace.samhsa.gov Dawn Mathis, Drug Enforcement Administration
ExperTox, Inc.1803 Center Street, Suite A
Deer Park, TX 77536281-476-4600
www.expertox.com