Managing Risk - Identifying Issues in the Workplace National Rx Drug Abuse Summit 4-10-12

1. Managing Risk -
Identifying Issues in
the Workplace
April 10-12, 2012
Walt Disney World Swan Resort

2. Accepted Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the signs and symptoms of drug
addiction.
2. Describe the proper procedure for
employers to take when they suspect
substance abuse in their employees.
3. Explain the potential liabilities faced by
employers who do not address
substance abuse issues within the
workplace.

3. Drug Classifications
• Depressants
• Stimulants
• Hallucinogens
• PCP/Ketamine
• Narcotics/Analgesics
• Inhalants
• Cannabis

4. Marijuana

5. Marijuana
• Can be chemically addictive.
• THC concentrations in marijuana average
close to 10 percent, compared to around 4
percent in the 1980s.
• Several studies associate workers' marijuana
smoking with increased absences, tardiness,
accidents, workers' compensation claims, and
job turnover.
*Source – National Institute on Drug Abuse

6. Marijuana – Signs & Symptoms
• Euphoria
• Relaxed Inhibitions
• Increased
Appetite
• Poor Coordination
• Plant Residue
• Odor of Substance
• Marked
Reddening of the
Eyes
• Addiction

7. K2/Spice
Adverse Side Effects:
• Nausea, Vomiting
• Increased Agitation
• Elevated Blood Pressure
• Increased Heart Rate
• Seizure
• Loss of Consciousness

8. Bath Salts
Adverse Side Effects:
• Extreme Hallucinations
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Paranoia
• Increased Heart Rate
• Addiction

9. Prescription Drugs
• In 2010, approximately
16 million Americans
reported using a
prescription drug for
nonmedical reasons in
the past year; 7 million
in the past month.
• 2nd most commonly
abused drug…
(Marijuana #1)
*Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

10. Depressants
Barbituates Benzodiazepines Flunitrazepam
• Amobarbital • Xanax • Rohypnol
• Amytal • Ativan
• Phenobarbital • Valium
Slang Terms Slang Terms Slang Terms
Barbs, Phennies, Benz, Candy, Downers, Roofies, Forget-Me-Pill,
Reds, Yellow Jackets Footballs Roach

11. Depressants – Signs & Symptoms
• Diminished
Coordination
• Drowsiness
• Disorientation
• Slower Reflexes
• Drunken Behavior
• Slurred Speech
• Addiction

12. Stimulants
Amphetamines Methamphetamine Methylphenidate
• Benzedrine • Desoxyn • Ritalin
• Dexedrine
• Adderall
Slang Terms Slang Terms Slang Terms
Bennies, Speed, Crank, Crystal, Meth, Kiddie Cocaine, Vitamin
Addies, Dexies Speed, Chalk R, R-Ball

13. Stimulants – Signs & Symptoms
• Enlarged Pupils
• Increased Alertness
• Excitability
• Euphoria
• Increased Heart Rate
• Loss of Appetite
• Addiction

14. The Eyes Don’t Lie
Narcotic Analgesics – Meth, Cocaine, Ritalin, Diet
Heroin, Pain Pills Pills, Hallucinogens

15. Hallucinogens
Lersergic Acid Phencyclidine Methylenedioxy-
Diethylamide methamphetamine
• LSD • PCP
• Sernlylan • MDMA
Slang Terms Slang Terms Slang Terms
Acid, Blotter, Angel Dust, Hog, Ecstasy, X, XTC, Adam
Bloomers, Cubes PCP

16. Hallucinogens – Signs &
Symptoms
• Illusions/Hallucinations
• Poor Perception of
Time & Distance
• Increased Heart Rate &
Blood Pressure
• Violence
• Impaired Hand-Eye
Coordination
• Psychosis
• Addiction

17. Narcotics/Analgesics
Oxycodone Hydrocodone Morphine
• Oxycontin • Vicodin • Duramorph
• Percocet • Norco • Morphine
• Roxicodone • Lorcet • Roxanol
Slang Terms Slang Terms Slang Terms
Oxy, O/C, Percs, Vike, Hydro, Hykes M, Miss Emma,
Orange Crush Monkey, White Stuff

18. Narcotics – Signs & Symptoms
• Constricted Pupils
• Euphoria
• Drowsiness
• Respiratory
Depression
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Addiction

19. The Eyes Don’t Lie
Narcotic Analgesics – Meth, Cocaine, Ritalin, Diet
Heroin, Pain Pills Pills, Hallucinogens

20. Inhalants
Volatile Solvents Nitrites Anesthetics
• Adhesives • Butyl Nitrite • Nitrous Oxide
• Paint Thinner • Amyl Nitrite • Chloroform
• Deodorants • Ether
Slang Terms Slang Terms Slang Terms
Sniffing, Glue Sniffing, Bolt, Poppers, Bullet, Laughing Gas,
Huffing Snappers Whippets

21. Inhalants – Signs & Symptoms
• Euphoria
• Slurred Speech
• Nausea
• Fainting
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Lowered BP
• Hallucinations
• Addiction

22. Supervisors Responsibilities
It is your responsibility to:
• Maintain a safe, secure and productive environment for
employees
• Evaluate and discuss performance with employees
• Treat all employees fairly
• Act in a manner that does not demean or label people
It is NOT your responsibility to:
• Diagnose drug and alcohol problems
• Have all the answers
• Provide counseling and therapy
• Be a police officer

23. Performance Problems vs. Crisis Situations
Crisis situations can consist of:
• Dangerous behavior
• Threatening behavior
• Obvious impairment
• Possession of alcohol and other drugs
• Illegal activity

24. Job Performance Signs & Symptoms
• Inconsistent work quality
• Poor concentration
• Lowered productivity
• Increased absenteeism/disappearances
• Carelessness/mistakes
• Errors in judgment/risk taking

25. Intervention & Referral
• Document the performance problem
• Use constructive confrontation
• Refer for assistance
• Follow up on progress towards meeting
performance goals

26. Document the Performance Problem
• The name of the employee
• The date, time, and location of the incident
• A short summary of the supervisor’s observations
• Any involvement of witnesses
• The action the supervisors take to intervene
• Reasonable suspicion observations
• The employee’s response

27. Constructive Confrontation
• Tell employee you are concerned about his/her
job performance
• Refer to documentation of specific events
• Ask for explanation
• Avoid getting involved in discussions of personal
problems
• State what must be done to correct the problem
• Set time frame for performance improvements
• Specify consequences if problems continue

28. Do’s and Don’ts for Supervisors
DO emphasize that you only are concerned with
work performance or conduct
DO have documentation of performance in front of
you when you talk to the employee
DO remember that many problems get worse
without assistance
DO emphasize that conversations with the EAP, if
applicable, are confidential.
DO call the EAP, if applicable, to discuss how to
make a referral

29. Do’s and Don’ts for Supervisors
DON’T try to diagnose the problem
DON’T moralize…limit comments to job
performance and conduct issues only
DON’T discuss alcohol and drug use…stick
strictly to the topic of performance
DON’T be misled by sympathy-evoking tactics
DON’T make threats that you do not intend to
carry out. If you threaten disciplinary action, you
must follow through

30. Drug Users as Employees
• More likely to be involved in an accident
• More likely to file a workers’ comp claim
• More likely to utilize health care benefits
• More likely to quit or get fired
• More likely to steal from their workplace
• More likely to miss work or show up late
• More likely to be involved in a confrontation
*Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration / Department of Labor

31. Impact on Safety
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
• In fact, as many as 50% of all workers’
compensation claims involve substance abuse
*Source : HHS

32. Drug Users vs. Non-Drug
Users
Behavior Users Non-Users
More than 3 employers 12.3% 5.1%
in past year
More than 2 work days missed 16.4% 11.0%
in past month due to illness/injury
More than 1 day skipped 16.3% 8.2%
in past month
*Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration / Department of Labor

33. Financial Burden
It is estimated that
alcohol and other
drug abuse costs
the U.S. economy
over $81 billion a
year.