The Area of the Body Each Drug Affects[1]

Drugs and Alcohol can negatively impact the ten major organ systems of our body.

• The Circulatory/Cardiovascular System Organs on drugs are at higher risk for high blood pressure, stroke or/and heart attack. Drugs and alcohol also interfere with blood clotting; contribute to anemia and cirrhosis of the liver.
• Digestive System Organs on drugs/alcohol can cause excessive weigh gain or loss, cancers and cirrhosis of the liver.
• Endocrine System Organs on drugs/alcohol hinders the immune system from properly releasing hormones which can result in interference with the immune system, erectile dysfunction and your cardiovascular system.
• Excretory System Organs on drugs/alcohol interferes with the elimination of waste products in your body which can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, kidney stones, Urinary Tract Infections or Sepsis (which can lead to death).
• Lymphatic/Immune System Organs on drugs/alcohol weakens your immune system leaving you vulnerable to infections and diseases.
• The Muscular System Organs on drugs/alcohol slows down muscular movement and impairs coordination, you are also more likely to develop Rhabdomyolysis which can lead to the development of kidney damage/failure.
• Nervous System Organs on drugs/alcohol puts your brain that makes all the decisions for keeping your body functioning properly in danger. Continued abuse can cause irreversible brain damage which can lead to memory loss and personality changes.
• Reproductive System Organs on drugs/alcohol in men can cause breast enlargement, testicular shrinkage and impotence; in women on drugs/alcohol can cause decreased sexual drive and menstrual irregularities.
• Respiratory System Organs on drugs/alcohol reduces your lungs ability to deliver oxygen to your brain; can lead to choking, suffocation, cancer and other lung diseases.
• The Skeletal System Organs on drugs/alcohol looses calcium and is more susceptible to broken bones.[2]

In conclusion, you may use drugs which are claimed to be legal by a state. Remember that the Federal government has no acceptance of said state laws and you could have consequences. Your performance under the influence of drug and/or alcohol does impair your body’s functioning and makes you more susceptible to accidents.  Drugs and alcohol do damage to your body. When you consider all the negatives, do you want to live with these risks for the short “high”?

Mlw7.23.17

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[1]  https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f2/31/83/f23183800c229b73fcff0f3497556e6d.jpg   

[2]  https://bradfordhealth.com/damaged-organs-i-drug-alcohol/  

Drugs and Alcohol in the Work Place

Why Do I Need to Be Drug or/and Alcohol Free in the Workplace?

Please note that “you” in this blog is an “editorial you” meaning it’s not personally saying you.

According to DATIA (Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry Association), “Employees who use marijuana have 75% more absenteeism, 55% more industrial accidents and 85% more workplace injuries than other employees[1]” The injuries, damage to merchandise, and lack of moral of other co-workers who must cover the work of the absent or/and injured worker increases the cost to run a business. Additionally, drug and alcohol use increases the cost of health, disability and business insurance; therefore, decreasing your paycheck.

An alarming percentage of all “on-the-job accidents” are impacted by drugs or/and alcohol through fatal accidents, injuries, accidents, slow functioning, absences, impaired judgment, hangovers, coming down from high and disciplinary issues with their supervisors and problems getting along with their co-workers.[2] Drug usage can also affect others who work with you through an involuntary “contact high”; hence, affecting their performance. Although some people give the appearance that they can “handle” drugs/alcohol, their performance is greatly impaired from the effects of the THC or/and Ethanol [3]. “Alcohol and drug use among employees and their family members can be an expensive problem for business and industry, with issues ranging from lost productivity, absenteeism, injuries, fatalities, and theft to an increase in health care, legal liabilities and workers' compensation costs.”

“Research studies have shown that marijuana use can be impairing and can impact reaction times, concentration, task performance, and driving.”[4] Many drugs create dependency through the craving for the “high” and to get “higher”. Drug dependency is dangerous because one becomes fixated on getting their next “fix” which takes one’s attention from their surroundings and concentration on their job or/and performance.  One can also become so absorbed in their “high” that they don’t realize things happening around them such as dangers like ladder safety, broken items (such as broken glass or sharp edge on a shelf or merchandise), and other safety details.

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[1]. http://www.datia.org/marijuana-outreach-fund.html - “DONATE NOW: DONATE TO THE MARIJUANA EDUCATION OUTREACH FUND”. DATIA MARCH 31, 2015.

[2]  https://www.ncadd.org/    - NCADD (National Counsel on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc. 2017, 217 Broadway, Suite 712, New York, NY 10007. Phone: 212-269-7797

[3]  http://www.howstuffworks.com/   - “DRINKING AND YOU” By LAURIE L. DOVE.  21 JULY 2017

[4]  https://blog.employersolutions.com/weeding-out-the-facts-webinar-recap/    - “Weeding Out The Facts”  by Dr. Barry Sample and D. Faye Caldwell Webinar on February 15, 2017 by Quest Diagnostics

Summer is Coming

It’s that time of year where the thermometer is going up as the days get longer.  More and more people take this time to go outside and try to enjoy the warmer weather for as long as they can but this is actually a very dangerous time of the year.  It’s time for a silent killer that will sneak up on you.  Most people tend to ignore the first obvious symptoms, because they are busy doing something out in the heat and don’t want to stop to address the symptoms.  So let’s go over these symptoms and see how you can help those around you.

Ok let’s go over the first step of this silent killer - heat exhaustion.  Heat exhaustion may not sound very serious, or even a killer, but it can lead to heat stroke, which is the killer.  There are typically two types of heat exhaustion - water depletion and salt depletion.  If someone is water depleted, they will have excessive thirst, headache and loss of consciousness.  If someone is salt depleted, they will have nausea, vomiting, cramps, and dizziness.  Both types of heat exhaustion can also cause confusion, pale skin, profuse sweating, and rapid heartbeat. 

The risk of heat exhaustion is strongly related to the heat index, because the higher the humidity the more you body’s ability to sweat is hampered.  This index is even higher when you are in full sunshine versus some shade.  People who live in more urban areas are much more prone to heat exhaustion due to what is called “heat island effect”.  This is the heat stored by the asphalt and concrete that is typically only released at night, therefore increasing the night time temperatures.  If you couple that with stagnant atmospheric conditions (very little wind) and poor air quality, it makes heat exhaustion much more likely. 

The second step of this silent killer is heat stroke, which is also known as sunstroke.  Not all people go from heat exhaustion to heat stroke. Some go right to the heat stroke.  Some of the symptoms of heat stroke are very similar to heat exhaustion, but there won’t be any sweating at all, and the skin will be red, hot, and dry.  The person may also have rapid, shallow breathing and could have seizures. 

Heat stroke can strike anyone of any age, but elderly people who live in apartments or homes without air conditioning or good airflow are the most susceptible.  Other high risk groups are those who don’t drink enough while working/playing outside (construction workers, runners), those with chronic diseases that leave someone unable to regulate their body temperatures (cancer), and alcoholics. Heat stroke is also related to the heat index like heat exhaustion, and is also more commonly found happening to people in urban areas due to that “heat island effect”.   

So what do you do to help someone suffering from either heat exhaustion or heat stroke?  First thing you want to do is move the person to a cooler environment, if at all possible. If all you have is the shade of a tree, that can still help.  If the person is showing signs of heat stroke, call 911 before thinking of moving them.  Listed beside this text is some ideas of what you can do for each type of heat related issue.  If you still aren’t sure what to do to help or if what you are trying doesn’t work, call 911 and get some trained medical personnel to the scene for assistance. 

Of course, prevention is always the best course of action in the long run.  If you know you will be outside on those hot, humid days make sure that you wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing (darker colors absorb the heat faster than light-colors do).  Try to wear a hat, if at all possible. Drink lots of extra fluids (include sports drinks as well to prevent salt depleted heat exhaustion), or just reschedule your activities after sunset, if at all possible.  When drinking those extra fluids, try to avoid anything that contains caffeine or alcohol because they cause you to actually lose more fluids, and can make the heat related illness even worse.  If you’re a senior who can’t afford to buy or run an air conditioner, check with your local agencies to see if you are eligible for assistance (LIHEAP-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is the most common).  With the knowledge you just read here, you can help prevent or treat someone who has these issues. Let’s have a safe and healthy summer!

E O S

EMPLOYEE ON-BOARDING SPECIALTIES, INC.

1.      What exactly does On-Boarding mean? 

     We help lots of companies put people to work by having them on board with all their pre-employment qualifications.  These can include, drug testing, breath alcohol testing, hair testing, fit for duty testing.  We also do, Audio, Respirator Fit, and Pulmonary testing.

2.      What other things can you help me with?

     DOT Physicals, and General Health Physicals are all walk-in basis.   If you need an eye test, we have the Snellen eye test and the Ishihara’s color blindness test. If you might be concerned that you could be a diabetic, we can do a test for that, also.

3.      Wow, that’s a lot!  But, what if I need some Special Training?

     Employee On-Boarding offers many classes each month for everyone.  Check out our website:  www.employeeonboarding.net  for the days and times of all the classes we offer.  We have a special room just for our training.  We offer, Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR AED, First Aid and Blood Bourne Pathogens.

     For the companies, we have a special program for Supervisor and Employee Training.

4.      What makes your facility so special?

     The staff at Employee On-Boarding consists of a Registered Nurse and a Doctor with many trainings in their background. Our other staff members are annually updating their education and qualifications of the tasks before them.

          Let’s not forget that when you come to our facility, we have no sick people in our waiting room and the wait time is very minimal.