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Reasonable Suspicion Training for Drug and Alcohol Use. Presented by: T.E.A.M., INC. What we will talk about today. Facts about drugs and alcohol Drugs of abuse Alcohol basics Signs and symptoms of use/abuse Making a decision about reasonable suspicion testing
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Reasonable Suspicion Trainingfor Drug and Alcohol Use • Presented by: • T.E.A.M., INC.
What we will talk about today • Facts about drugs and alcohol • Drugs of abuse • Alcohol basics • Signs and symptoms of use/abuse • Making a decision about reasonable suspicion testing • General guidelines and procedures
Under this policy… • All members are subject to testing • A member with a positive test will be removed from the worksite • The member with a positive will then be contacted by TEAM for evaluation / help • The member will return to work only after successful completion of treatment • Second positive = discipline / discharge
A supervisor should: • Know and understand the policy / rules • Regularly document performance issues • Be able to answer questions about it • Be responsible for enforcing the policy • Convey an attitude of confidentiality • Be supportive of the policy • Identify possible use, and take action
Testing situations • Pre-employment (drug test only) • Post-accident • Reasonable suspicion • Work opportunity • Random (20% annually) • Treatment program (return-to-duty, and then follow-up testing for two years)
Lab procedures • Initial screen (urine) • If negative, reported to TEAM as negative • If positive, lab conducts a confirmatory test • Confirmatory test (on the same sample) • If negative, it is reported to TEAM as negative • If positive it is reported to TEAM as positive • Positive specimens will be stored in the lab for 6 months
Alcohol Marijuana Cocaine Amphetamine (and methamphetamines) Opiates Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust) Barbiturates Methaqualone Benzodiazepines Methadone Propoxyphene Members will be tested for:
Testing levels (gates) for positive InitialConfirm Alcohol 0.08 0.08 Marijuana 50 15 Cocaine 300 150 Opiates 2,000 2,000 Amphetamines 1,000 500 PCP 25 25 [DHHS Standards]
Workplace drug testing positives • Marijuana 53% • Cocaine 15% • Opiates 7% • Amphetamines 11% • PCP 1% • Benzos, barbs 8% (2005 statistics)
Termination / discharge for: • Refusing to be evaluated • Not going to the treatment program that was recommended by TEAM • Not finishing the treatment program • Testing positive a second time, at any time in the future
Members’ rights and protections • A member who does not consent will not be tested. No one will be forced to test • A member can get a copy of the results • A member can speak to a Medical Review Office about medications • A member can request that the sample be retested (at the member’s expense)
Refusal to submit to testing • A refusal to be tested has consequences • A refusal is considered insubordination • Grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment • Not cooperating with the process could be considered refusal to be tested
Drugs make us feel better… • Socially acceptable drugs • Illegal drugs • Prescription medications • “Over-the-counter “ drugs and meds
Drug use is a progression… • Tolerance • Adaptation of increased intake • Psychological dependence • Physical dependence • Addiction
Facts About Chemical Use • 97% of chemical abusers in work place • Substance abusers 3 times more likely to use sick benefits and have attendance and tardiness problems • Substance abusers 5 times more likely to file worker’s comp claims • 47% of work accidents related to abuse
Facts About Substance Abuse • Alcohol and marijuana are the most common drugs used in workplace • Marijuana users have 85% more injuries • US businesses lose $60-100 billion a year to substance abuse • Drugs and alcohol use result in increased premiums for health insurance and Workers’ Compensation claims
Marijuana (3-4 hours) • Euphoria and animation (loud talking) • Reddened eyes • Dilated pupils • Loss of coordination • Frequent hunger • Increased heart rate
Cocaine (5-20 minutes) • Feeling of exhilaration / energy • Rapid or irregular heart beat • Reduced appetite, eventual weight loss • Increased body temperature • Could result in heart failure, chest pain, respiratory failure, nausea, strokes, seizures, headaches, abdominal pain
Amphetamines (2-4 hours) • Irritability • Aggressive or violent behavior • Anxiety, restlessness, panic • Auditory hallucinations, delirium • Rapid breathing • Tremor • Loss of coordination
Opiates (3-6 hours) • Euphoria followed by drowsiness • Pin-point pupils • Slow, shallow breathing • Restlessness and irritability • Watery eyes, clammy skin, runny nose • Nausea, stomach cramps • Staggering gait
Phencyclidine (8-12 hours) • Increased heart rate and blood pressure • Impaired motor function • Memory loss • Numbness • Nausea, vomiting , loss of appetite • Panic, aggression, violence • Depression
Effects of alcohol 0.02-.03Slight euphoria, loss of shyness 0.04-.06Relaxed, lowered inhibitions, minor impairment of reasoning 0.07-.09Affected balance, speech, vision, reaction time, hearing 0.10-.125Significant impairment 0.13-.20Gross impairment, lack of control 0.30Loss of consciousness 0.40 Coma, possible death
Alcohol affects the body • Stomach: irritated lining, ulcers • Liver: damaged from processing alcohol • Immune system: illness, colds, coughs • Reproductive system: serious birth defects • Heart: enlarged heart, irregular heartbeat • Brain: memory loss, judgment,coordination
Definition of “alcohol use” “The consumption of any beverage, mixture or preparation containing alcohol, including medications that contain alcohol.”
What is 0.02 level of alcohol? • One 12 oz. can of beer • One 4 oz. glass of wine • One 1 oz. shot of booze IN ONE HOUR...
The body processes alcohol Generally, 1 ounce in 1 hour Depending on: • body size • eating habits • amount of food consumed • type of food consumed • an individual’s metabolism rate
Myths about “sobering up” • Caffeine • Jittery, wide-eyed, but still drunk • Take a cold shower • Cold, dripping wet, but still drunk • Get some physical activity • Tired, worn out, sweating, but still drunk
RECOGNIZE . . . RECORD . . . RESPOND . . . REFER . . . the worker who used by documenting facts because it’s your job ! for required testing A supervisor’s role (the 4 R’s)
Why I don’t want to do this… • I want members to like me • Maybe the problem will just go away • Maybe the member will decide to quit • I’m not sure management will support me • This just isn’t my job • I was never trained to do this stuff • Some members are even worse than this one
Definition: reasonable suspicion • You have “reason to believe” that • a member has used alcohol or drugs in the workplace, OR • a member is not able to perform his/her job safely, possibly because of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, regardless of when that use occurred
Reasonable Suspicion Testing • A continuum of “knowing” • Proof beyond reasonable doubt • Preponderance of evidence • Probable cause / reasonable suspicion • Having a “hunch”
Definition: safety-sensitive job A job in which impairment caused by drug or alcohol usage would threaten the health or safety of any person
Alcohol signs and symptoms • Odor on breath or body • Flushed skin • Eyes glazed or bloodshot • Slowed reaction time • Impaired motor skills • Stumbling, swaying, loss of balance • Speech is slurred, loud, thick • Moody, irritable
Drug signs and symptoms • Eyes red, pupils dilated • Mouth dry • Slowed reactions • Impaired motor skills • Sleepy • Skin cold, moist, blush in color • Heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration • Dizziness
DO’S Observable Objective Measurable Time specific DON’Ts Assume Judge Mention USE Trust your memory Ignore the reality Deny that it’s happening Be defensive When you document the incident
A checklist for supervisors • When possible, involve a second supervisor • Document the incident (behaviors/performance) • Explain your concern to the member • Ask: is there a need for medical attention? • Call the collection site: location, name • Stay until the collection is done; be available • Arrange for the member to get home • Return to the workplace and finish the documentation
DENIAL THREATS ANGER EXCUSES Stay calm Use documentation Uphold the policy Maintain productivity Don’t react Focus on the issues Take a break Focus on performance If the member responds with:
If a member decides to run… • Tell the member that you’ll call the cops • Call 911 • Give 911 your name and location • Give circumstances (member was suspected to be under the influence) • Explain that you warned him/her not to leave • Give a description of the car, license, etc.
Keep in mind: • Get your questions and concerns clarified • The association will support you • You aren’t accusing a member of using • Be confidential and discreet • Testing is only a tool to rule outuse • Be thorough with your documentation • BOTTOM LINE: THIS IS ABOUT WORKPLACE SAFETY
Always remember … TEAM EAP • Early intervention may eliminate the need for a reasonable suspicion test • Watch for a member’s declining job performance. • Document, document, document. • Make an informal referral so that a member can address a drug problem before it becomes a work problem.
CALL FOR HELP if you need it!!! TEAM, INC. can help… CALL 651-642-0182