It’s Time to Play Name That Drug!

For those of you who don’t know how this works, I will name facts, symptoms, and other names for the drug. The only thing you do is see if you can name it before we get to the end.  If you haven’t figured it out by the end, I will tell you the drug.

Facts: It is an extremely strong stimulant. It is created with toxic, caustic chemicals that have their own damaging effects on the body and mind of the user. It very often creates addiction in just a few uses as a result of the strong cravings that can follow use. It is a very destructive drug that changes a person's personality and can create severe health problems. A person experiencing the effects of the drug should receive effective help the first moment possible.

Symptoms: Loss of appetite, major weight loss, the body roughens and has many pocked sores. The user becomes moody and irritable. A user may go without sleep for many days and sleep for many days after the high has worn off.

Other Names: chalk, ice, crystal, crank, fire, glass, go fast, and speed.

Yes, you can be prescribed this drug! Do you have any guesses yet? It can be given to your kids as an ADHD, or ADD drug to control their focus patterns, but long term it can have very damaging effects. The drug found on the street is in the same family of methamphetamines that are prescribed by doctors. It is not as safe as a doctor might have you believe. It can be very damaging, if not taken correctly.  Even if not concentrated, it is enough to do damage.  If you still haven’t figured it out, this drug goes by the shortened name of meth.

Ensuring Safety Builds Confidence in the Employer, Increases Business

Safety in the workplace should be a given. Anyone going to work each day has an expectation of safety inherent in the position they are working in. Even those in high risk jobs know the level of risk they assume in taking that position. But that does not take the responsibility from the employer in making every effort to make their workplace meet or exceed OSHA safety standards. That is the main reason we encourage all employers to have written safety policies that hold employees accountable, including those stating clear policies regarding drug or alcohol use.

According to the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA), prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions and is the nation’s fastest growing problem in the workplace. While intended to alleviate pain, opioids are a class of prescription drugs that have a strong potential for abuse and can lead to addiction. Well known members of this class include morphine, codeine and heroin, but also includes hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin, or Norco), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone (Oxycontin) and meperidine (Demerol). Unfortunately, Opioid use effects an employee’s ability to perform the normal tasks of their job in many ways. Both physical and mental impairment places the person working under the influence of these drugs in danger, as well as placing those working around them at risk. This risk is drastically increased if the employee is in a position of driving vehicles, or heavy equipment.

Without written policies in place, your employee could be working under the influence, and your company may be held liable for damages caused by that impaired employee. By writing and enforcing written safety policies, all employees feel more confident in the employer's committment to safety, and are more likely to follow through with these safe behaviors even at home. Let’s keep our customers and other employees safe from an impaired co-worker.