ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
POLICY
The sample policy and procedure are based upon accurate information available at the time it was prepared.
This sample is not prepared or intended to meet any particular company's needs.
A company alcohol and drug abuse policy may create legal rights or liabilities between the parties involved.
Legal advice regarding the development or review of this or any employment policy should be obtained.
No one should rely solely upon this sample policy outside its intended purpose without first obtaining the appropriate advice of legal counsel.
Notes printed in italics are for carrier's reference in drafting its own policy and should not be contained in a company's final policy.
Motor Carrier Safety
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
1300 S. Evergreen Park Dr. SW
P O Box 47250
Olympia, WA 98504-7250
Phone: (360) 664-1232
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE POLICY
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
AND POLICY
Drivers are an extremely valuable resource
for (insert name of company)_____'s
business. Their health and safety is a serious Company concern.
Drug or alcohol use may pose a serious threat to driver health and safety.
It is, therefore, the policy of the Company to prevent substance use
or abuse from having an adverse effect on our drivers. The company
maintains that the work environment is safer and more productive without
the presence of alcohol, illegal or inappropriate drugs in the body
or on company property. Furthermore, drivers have a right to work
in an alcohol and drug-free environment and to work with drivers free
from the effects of alcohol and drugs. Drivers who abuse alcohol
or use drugs are a danger to themselves, their coworkers and the Company's
assets.
The adverse impact of substance abuse
by drivers has been recognized by the federal government. The
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued regulations
which require the company to implement a controlled substance testing
program. The Company will comply with these regulations and is
committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. All drivers are
advised that remaining drug-free and medically qualified to drive are
conditions of continued employment with the Company.
Specifically, it is the policy of
the Company that the use, sale, purchase, transfer, possession or presence
in one's system of any controlled substance (except medically prescribed
drugs) by any driver while on company premises, engaged in company business,
while operating company equipment, or while under the authority of the
Company is strictly prohibited.
FMCSA states that mandatory testing
must apply to every person who operates a commercial motor vehicle
in interstate or intrastate commerce and is subject to the CDL licensing
requirement.
The execution and enforcement of this
policy will follow set procedures to screen body fluids (urinalysis),
conduct breath testing, and/or search all driver applicants for alcohol
and drug use, and those drivers suspected of violating this policy who
are involved in a US Department of Transportation (DOT) reportable accident
or who are periodically or randomly elected pursuant to these procedures.
These procedures are designed not only to detect violations of this
policy, but to ensure fairness to each driver. Every effort will
be made to maintain the dignity of drivers or driver applicants involved.
Disciplinary action will, however, be taken as necessary.
Neither the policy nor any of its terms are intended to create a contract of employment or to contain the terms of any contract of employment. The Company retains the sole right to change, amend or modify any term or provision of this policy without notice. This policy is effective_______________, and will supersede all prior policies and statements relating to alcohol or drugs.
ADMINISTRATION GUIDE TO
PERSONNEL
ALCOHOL AND DRUG
TESTING PROCEDURES
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this administrative
guide is to set forth the procedures for the implementation of controlled
substances and alcohol use and testing of driver applicants and current
drivers pursuant to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy. These procedures
are intended as a guide only, and are in no way intended to alter any
existing relationship between (Company) and any driver.
(Company)'s alcohol and drug
program administrator designated to monitor, facilitate, and answer
questions pertaining to these procedures is_______________________________.
II. DEFINITIONS
When interpreting or implementing
these procedures, or the procedures required by he Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) controlled substance testing regulations
the following definitions apply:
"Alcohol" means
the intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or other
low molecular weight alcohols including methyl and isopropyl alcohol.
"Alcohol concentration (or
content)" means the alcohol in a volume of breath expressed
in terms of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath as indicated by
an evidential breath test under this part.
"Collection site"
means a place where individuals present themselves for the purpose of
providing breath, body fluid, or tissue samples to be analyzed for specified
controlled substances. This site must possess all necessary personnel,
materials, equipment, facilities and supervision to provide for the
collection, security, temporary storage and transportation or shipment
of the samples to a laboratory.
"Commercial motor vehicle"
means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce
to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:
1. Has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; or
2. Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; or
3. Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
4. Is of any size and is used
in the transportation of materials found to be hazardous for the purposes
of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and which require the
motor vehicle to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Regulations
(49 CFR, Part 172, 1308).
"Driver" means any
person who operates a commercial motor vehicle. This includes,
but is not limited to: Full time, regularly employed drivers;
casual, intermittent or occasional drivers; leased drivers and independent,
owner-operator contractors who are either directly employed by or under
lease to an employer or who operate a commercial motor vehicle at the
direction of or with the consent of an employer. For the purpose
of pre-employment/pre-duty testing only, the term "driver"
includes a person applying to an employer to drive a commercial motor
vehicle.
"Drug"
means any substance (other than alcohol) that is a controlled substance
as defined in the section and 49 CFR, Part 40.
"FMCSA" means the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; US Department of Transportation.
"Owner-operator(s)"
means a driver(s) who has been contracted for services with the Company.
For the purposes of these procedures and the Company's Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Policy, owner-operators are not to be considered employees, but
will be required to participate in the Company's Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Policy like all Company employee drivers.
"Medical review officer"
(MRO) means a licensed MD or DO with knowledge of drug abuse disorders
that is employed or used by a motor carrier to conduct drug testing
in accordance with this part.
"Performing a safety-sensitive
function" means a driver is considered to be performing a safety-sensitive
function during any period in which he/she is actually performing, ready
to perform, or immediately available to perform any safety-sensitive
functions.
"Random selection process"
means that alcohol and drug tests are unannounced; that every driver
of a motor carrier subject to test-tests conducted annually shall equal
or exceed twenty-five percent (25%) for alcohol tests and fifty percent
(505) for drug test of the total number of drivers subject to testing
of a motor carrier.
"Reasonable cause" means that the motor carrier believes the actions or appearance or conduct of a commercial motor vehicle driver who is on duty as defined below, are indicative of the use of a controlled substance.
"Safety-sensitive function"
means any of those on-duty functions set forth in CFR 49, Section 395.2.
"On duty time" means
all time from the time a driver begins to work or is required to be
in readiness to work until the time he/she is relieved from work and
all responsibility for performing work. "On duty time"
shall include:
1. All time at a carrier or shipper
plant, terminal, or facility, or other property, or on any public property
waiting to be dispatched, unless the driver has been relieved from duty
by the motor carrier;
2. All time inspecting, servicing,
or conditioning any commercial motor vehicle at any time;
3. All
driving time;
4. All time, other than driving
time, in or upon any commercial motor vehicle except time spent resting
in a sleeper berth;
5. All time loading or unloading
a vehicle, supervising, or assisting in the loading or unloading, attending
a vehicle being loaded or unloaded, remaining in readiness to operate
the vehicle, or in giving or receiving receipts for shipments loaded
or unloaded.
6. All time repairing, obtaining
assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled vehicle.
III. SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED/PRESCRIPTION
MEDICATIONS
A. Alcohol use means
the consumption of any beverage, mixture, or preparation, including
any medication containing alcohol which, when consumed, causes an alcohol
concentration in excess of those prescribed by Part 382, Subpart B,
(FMCSR) and Section IV of this policy.
B. Controlled substances:
In accordance with FMCSA rules, urinalysis will be conducted to detect
the presence of the following substances:
Detection levels requiring a
determination of a positive result shall be in accordance with the guidelines
adopted by the FMCSA in accordance with the recommendations established
by the 49 CFR, Part 40.
C. Prescription medications:
Drivers taking legally prescribed medications issued by a licensed
health care professional familiar with the driver's work-related responsibilities
must report such use to their immediate supervisor or dispatcher, and
may be required to present written evidence from the health care professional
which describes the effects such medications may have on the driver's
ability to perform his/her tasks.
In the sole discretion
of the alcohol and drug program administrator, a driver may be temporarily
removed, with pay, from a safety-sensitive position if deemed appropriate.
IV. PROHIBITIONS
A. Alcohol Prohibitions
The new alcohol rule prohibits
any alcohol misuse that could affect performance of a safety-sensitive
function, including:
1. Use while performing safety-sensitive functions.
2. Use during the 4 hours before performing safety-sensitive
functions.
3. Reporting for duty or remaining
on duty to perform safety-sensitive functions with an alcohol concentration
of 0.04 or greater.
4. Possession of alcohol,
unless the alcohol is manifested and transported as part of a shipment.
This includes the possession of medicines containing alcohol (prescription
or over-the-counter), unless the packaging seal is unbroken.
5. Use during 8 hours following
an accident, or until he/she undergoes a post accident test.
6. Refusal to take a required test.
NOTE: A driver found to have an
alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater but less than 0.04 shall not
perform, nor be permitted to perform, safety-sensitive functions for
at least 24 hours. The other consequences imposed by the regulations
and discussed below do not apply. However, documentation of this
test constitutes written warning that company policy has been violated,
and the next occurrence could result in disqualification of a driver.
B. Drug
Prohibitions
The regulations prohibit any
drug use that could affect performance of safety-sensitive functions,
including:
1. Use of any drug, except
by doctor's prescription, and the only if the doctor has advised the
driver that the drug will not adversely affect the driver's ability
to safely operate the CMV;
2. Testing positive for drugs; and
3. Refusing to take a required test.
All drivers will inform the alcohol
and drug program administrator of any therapeutic drug use prior to
performing a safety-sensitive function.
V. DRIVER APPLICANT AND CURRENT
DRIVER TESTING
A. Applicant Testing:
All driver applicants will be required to submit to and pass a breath
alcohol test and a urine drug test as a condition of employment.
Job applicants who are denied employment because of a positive test
may reapply for employment after 6 months.
Offers of employment are made contingent upon passing the Company's medical review, including the alcohol and drug test. Driver applicants who have received firm employment offers are to be cautioned against giving notice at their current place of employment, or incurring any costs associated with accepting employment with the Company until after medical clearance has been received. All newly hired drivers shall be on probationary status for 30 days, continent upon medical clearance for illicit controlled substance or alcohol usage, as well as other conditions explained in the personnel policies. Under no circumstances may a driver perform a safety-sensitive function until a confirmed negative result is received.
Driver applicant drug testing
shall follow the collection, chain-of-custody and reporting procedures
as set forth in 49 CFR, Part 40.
B. Owner-Operators:
Owner-operators engaged by the Company are not employees of the Company,
nor are they to be considered as such under this Policy. However,
every owner-operator engaged to provide services to the Company must
agree to, and successfully participate in the Company's alcohol and
drug testing program. All owner-operator agreements will be entered
into by he the Company contingent upon the operators' successful completion
of urinalysis and breath analysis under all phases of the Company's
program, and are contingent upon the owner-operator's continued status
as a medically qualified driver.
The term "driver" as
used in these procedures includes owner-operators.
C. Employee Drivers:
Under all circumstances, when a driver is directed to provide either
a breath test or urine sample (Appendix C) in accordance with these
procedures, he/she must immediately comply as instructed. Refusal
will constitute a positive result, and the driver will be immediately
removed from the safety-sensitive function, and will be subject to further
discipline or termination as appropriate.
1. Suspicion-based Testing:
a. Reasonable Suspicion:
If a driver is having work performance problems or displaying behavior
that may be alcohol or drug-related, or is otherwise demonstrating conduct
that may be in violation of the Policy where immediate management
action is necessary, a supervisor or dispatcher, with the concurrence
of the alcohol and drug program administrator, will require that derive
to submit to a breath test or urinalysis. The following conditions
are signs of possible alcohol or drug use (not all-inclusive):
b, Supervisors or dispatchers
must take action if they have reason to believe one or more of the
above-listed conditions is indicated, and that the substance abuse is
affecting a driver's job performance or behavior in any manner.
A supervisor or dispatcher observing such conditions will take the following
actions immediately:
! Confront the employee involved, and keep under direct observation until the situation is resolved.
! Secure the alcohol and drug program administrator's
concurrence to observations; job performance and company policy violations
must be specific.
! After discussing the circumstances with the supervisor
or dispatcher, the alcohol and drug program administrator will arrange
to observe or talk with the driver. If he/she believes,
after observing or talking to the driver, that the conduct or performance
problem could be due to substance abuse, the driver will be immediately
informed that continued refusal will result in disqualification from
performing any safety-sensitive function.
! Employees will be asked to release any evidence
relating to the observation for further testing. Failure to comply
may subject the employee to subsequent discipline or suspension from
driving duties. All confiscated evidence will be receipted for
with signatures or both the receiving supervisor, as well as the provider.
! If upon confrontation by the supervisor or dispatcher,
the driver admits to use but requests assistance, the alcohol and drug
program administrator will arrange for assessment by an appropriate
substance abuse professional (SAP). Reassignment to the driver
position is conditional to completing the SAP's guidelines and
return-to-work testing.
Drafter's Note: Disqualification
may be replaced with termination as a company policy if verified by
an attorney.
c. The supervisor or dispatcher
shall, within 24 hours or before the results of the controlled substance
test are released, document the particular facts related to the behavior
or performance problems, and present such documentation to the alcohol
and drug program administrator.
d. The drug and alcohol program
administrator will remove or cause the removal of the driver from the
Company-owned vehicle and ensure that the driver is transported o an
appropriate collection site an thereafter to the driver's residence
or, where appropriate, to a place of lodging. Under no circumstances
will that driver be allowed to continue to drive a Company vehicle or
his/her own vehicle until a confirmed negative test result is received.
e. if, during the course of employment,
the driver acknowledges a substance abuse problem and requests assistance,
the problem may be treated as if it were an illness, subject to the
provisions set forth below:
! The decision to seek diagnosis and accept treatment
for the substance abuse problem is the responsibility of the driver;
! The diagnosis and prescribed treatment of the
driver's condition will be determined by health care professionals designated
by the alcohol and drug program administrator in conjunction with the
driver's physician; and
! The driver might be placed on medical leave for
a predetermined period recommended by those medical professionals if
the SAP determines that such action is appropriate.
2. Post-Accident Testing:
Currently, federal regulations place the burden of compliance with post-accident
alcohol and drug testing regulations on the driver. Therefore,
all drivers are required to provide a breath test and a urine specimen
to be tested for the use of controlled substances "as soon as practicable"
after an accident. The driver shall remain readily available for
such testing or may be deemed by the alcohol and drug program administrator
to have refused to submit to testing. No alcohol may be consumed
for 8 hours after the accident or until a test is conducted. If
the driver is seriously injured and cannot provide a specimen at the
time of the accident, he/she shall provide the necessary authorization
for obtaining hospital reports and other documents that would indicate
whether there were any controlled substances in his/her system.
An accident is defined by FMCSA regulations
as an accident which results in the death of a human being or bodily
injury to a person who, as a result of the injury, immediately receives
medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; or which has
had one of the vehicles towed from the scene of the accident.
Except for a fatality accident, verification of the driver's responsibility
in the above accident must be established by a citation to the driver.
Drivers will be provided with collection
kits to be carried in their vehicles at all times. A list of nationally
available collection sites will be provided through the Company dispatchers,
including pertinent instructions and procedures prior to the driver
operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Adherence by drivers to post-accident
specimen collection requirements is a condition of continued employment.
The failure of an owner-operator to comply with DOT post-accident and
specimen collection rules will be considered a breach of his/her contract
with the Company, and the contract is invalid until appropriate substance
abuse professional counseling has been completed.
3. Random Testing: The
Company will conduct random testing for all covered drivers as follows:
a. A company-wide selection process
which removes discretion in selection from any supervisory personnel
will be adopted by the Company. This process will select covered
drivers through the use of a computerized program.
b. The random testing, once begun,
will provide for alcohol testing of at last 25% and for drug testing
of at least 50% of all covered drivers.
c. The random testing will be
reasonably spaced over any 12 month period.
d. Once notified, a driver must
proceed immediately to the assigned collection site.
4. The alcohol and drug program administrator
will be responsible for designating the appropriate substance abuse
professional who, in conjunction with the driver's physician, will diagnose
the problem and recommend treatment.
a. The driver's successful completion
of the approved treatment program is a condition of continued employment
as a driver.
b. Following successful completion
of any approved treatment program, the driver will be required to submit
to at least six random drug tests during the first year, and follow-up
testing may be conducted for up to 60 months. Failure to adhere
to this condition is grounds for immediate termination.
c. All supervisors or dispatchers
will receive training to assist them in identifying alcohol and drug
se behavioral characteristics.
5. Return-to-Duty Testing:
Before a driver returns to duty requiring the performance of a safety-sensitive
function after engaging in conduct prohibited by this policy and Part
382, Subpart B (FMCSR), the driver shall undergo a return to duty alcohol
test with a result of less than a 0.02 BAC or receive a confirmed negative
result from a controlled substance urinalysis test.
VI. COLLECTION OF BREATH AND URINE
SPECIMENS AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS
A. Breath alcohol testing
will be conducted either on site or at a prearranged location by a qualified
Breath Alcohol Technician according to 49 CFR, Part 40 procedures.
Refusal to complete and sign the testing form or refusal to provide
breath will be considered a positive test, and the driver will be removed
from a safety-sensitive function until resolved.
B. Specimen Collection:
Specimen collection will be conducted in accordance with applicable
state and federal law. The collection procedures will be designed
to ensure the security and integrity of the specimen provided by each
driver, and those procedures will strictly follow federal chain-of-custody
guidelines. Moreover, every reasonable effort will be made to
maintain the dignity of each driver submitting a specimen for analysis
in accordance with these procedures.
C. Laboratory Analysis:
As required by FMCSA regulations, only a laboratory certified by Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to perform urinalysis for the detection
of the presence of controlled substances will be retained by the Company.
The laboratory will be required to maintain strict compliance with federally
approved chain-of-custody procedures, quality control, maintenance and
scientific analytical methodologies.
VII. CONSEQUENCES: APPEAL OF TEST RESULTS
A. Alcohol and drug abuse may
not only threaten the safety and productivity of all employees at
___(Company)___, but causes serious individual health consequences
to those who use them. Attachment #1 outlines several personal
consequences which may result after abuse of controlled substances.
Any confirmed actions prohibited by Part IV above, while performing
a safety-sensitive function or refusing to take a breath test, will
be grounds for disqualification as a driver.
B. A driver testing positive for
alcohol or drug use is subject to disqualification. Refusal to
submit to testing will also be considered a positive.
Refusal may be defined as not
providing a breath sample or urine as directed, neglecting to sign appropriate
control forms, using alcohol within 8 hours of an accident, or engaging
in conduct that clearly obstructs the testing process.
Any driver testing positive for
the presence of a controlled substance will be contacted by the Company's
MRO. The driver will be allowed to explain and present medical
documentation to explain any permissible use of a drug. All such
discussions between the driver and the MRO will be confidential.
The Company will not be a party to, or have access to, matters discussed
between the driver and the MRO. If medically supportable reasons
exist to explain the positive result, the MRO will report the test result
to the Company as a negative.
Within 72 hours after the driver
has been notified of a positive test result for drugs, he/she may request
a retest of the split sample. This signed request will be provided
to the MRO in writing, who will then initiate the new laboratory analysis.
If a different result is detected by the subsequent laboratory, the
test will be voided by the MRO, and the company alcohol and drug program
administrator will be notified. A retest may be initiated as appropriate.
VII. CONFIDENTIALITY
Under no circumstances, unless required
or authorized by law, will alcohol or drug testing information or results
for any employee or applicant be released without written request from
the applicable employee.
Drivers are entitled, upon written
request, to obtain copies of any records pertaining to the driver's
use of alcohol or controlled substances, including any records pertaining
to his or her alcohol or controlled substance test.
Drafter's Note: A company may
wish to state a time frame for copies to prevent a possible administrative
burden. Review should be immediate.
Collection of breath and urine samples
must always be documented and sealed with a tamper-proof sealing system
in the presence of the river, t ensure that all tests can be correctly
traced to the driver.
Drug test analysis rom the DHHS approved
laboratory will be forwarded directly to the Medical Review Officer
assigned by the alcohol and drug program administrator.
Alcohol test results will be forwarded by the MRO to the alcohol and rug program administrator for confidential recordkeeping.
APPENDIX A
ALCOHOL AND DRUG EFFECTS
Section 382.601(b)(11) FMCSR mandates
that all employees be provided with training material discussing the
effects of alcohol and controlled substance use on an individual's health,
work, and personal life.
This attachment is intended to help individuals
understand the personal consequences of substance abuse.
ALCOHOL
Although used routinely as beverage for
enjoyment, alcohol can also have negative physical and mood-altering
effects when abused. These physical or mental alteration in a
driver may have serious personal and public safety risks.
Health Effects
An average of three or more servings
per day of beer (12 ounces), whiskey (1 ounce), or wine (6 ounces) over
time, may result in the following health hazards:
Social Issues
2/3 of all homicides are committed by people who drink prior to the crime. 2 - 3% of the driving population are legally drunk at any one time. This rate doubles at night and on weekends. 2/3 of all Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related vehicle accident during their lifetime. The separation and divorce rate in families with alcohol dependency problems is 7 times the average. 40% of family court cases are alcohol-related. Alcoholics are 15 times more likely to commit suicide. More that 60% of burns, 40% of falls, 69% of boating accidents, and 76% of private aircraft accidents are accident-related. Over 17,000 fatalities occurred in 1993 in highway accidents, which were alcohol-related. This was 43% of all highway fatalities. 30,000 people will die each year from alcohol-caused liver disease. 10,000 people will die each year due to alcohol-related brain disease or suicide. Up to 125,000 people die each year due to alcohol-related conditions or accidents.Workplace Issues
ALCOHOL'S TRIP THROUGH
THE BODY
Mouth and Esophagus: Alcohol
is an irritant to the delicate linings of the throat and food pipe.
It burns as it goes down.
Stomach and Intestines:
Alcohol has an irritating effect on the stomach's's protective lining,
resulting in gastric or duodenal ulcers. This condition, if it
becomes acute, can cause peritonitis, or perforation of the stomach
wall. In the small intestine, alcohol blocks absorption of such
substances as thiamine, folic acid, fat, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and
amino acids.
Bloodstream: 95% of the
alcohol taken into the body is absorbed into the bloodstream through
the lining of the stomach and duodenum. Once in the bloodstream,
alcohol quickly goes to every cell and tissue in the body. Alcohol
causes red blood cells to clump together in sticky wads, slowing circulation
and depriving tissues of oxygen. It also causes anemia by reduction
red blood cell production. Alcohol slows the ability of white
cells to engulf and destroy bacteria and degenerates the clotting ability
of blood platelets.
Pancreas: Alcohol irritates
the cells of the pancreas, causing them to swell, thus blocking the
flow of digestive enzymes. The chemicals, unable to enter the
small intestine, begin to digest the pancreas, leading to acute hemorrhagic
pancreatitis. One out of five patients who develop this disease
dies during the first attack. Pancreatitis can destroy the pancreas
and cause a lack of insulin, thus resulting in diabetes.
Liver: Alcohol inflames
the cells of the liver, causing them to swell and block the tiny canal
to the small intestines. This prevents bile from being filtered
properly through the liver. Jaundice develops, turning the whites
of the eyes and skin yellow. Each drink of alcohol increases the
number of live cells destroyed, eventually causing cirrhosis of the
liver. This disease is eight times more frequent among alcoholics
than among non-alcoholics.
Heart: Alcohol causes inflammation
of the heart muscle. It has a toxic effect on the heart and causes
increased amounts of fat to collect, thus disrupting its normal metabolism.
Urinary Bladder and Kidneys:
Alcohol inflames the lining of the urinary bladder making it unable
to stretch properly. In the kidneys, alcohol causes increased
loss of fluids through its irritating effect.
Sex Gland: Swelling of the
prostate gland caused by alcohol interferes with the ability of the
male to perform sexually. It also interferes with the ability
to climax during intercourse.
Brain: The most dramatic
and noticed effect of alcohol is on the brain. It depresses brain
centers, producing progressive incoordination: confusion, disorientation,
stupor, anesthesia, coma, death. Alcohol kills brain cells
and brain damage is permanent Drinking over a period of time causes
loss of memory, judgment and learning ability.
DRUGS
Marijuana
Health Effects
Emphysema-like conditions. One joint of marijuana contains cancer-causing substances equal to 1/2 pack of cigarettes. One joint causes the heart to race and be overworked. People with heart conditions are at risk. Marijuana is commonly contaminated with the fungus Aspergillus which can cause serious respiratory tract and sinus infections. Marijuana lowers the body's immune system response, making users more susceptible to infection. Chronic smoking causes changes in brain cells and brain waves. The brain does not work as efficiently or effectively. Long-term brain damage may occur. Tetrahydrocannabinot (THC) and 60 other chemicals in marijuana concentrate in the ovaries and testes. Chronic smoking of marijuana in males causes a decrease in testosterone and an increase in estrogen, the female hormone. As a result, the sperm count is reduced, leading to temporary sterility. Chronic smoking of marijuana in females causes a decrease in fertility. A higher than normal incidence of stillborn babies, early termination of pregnancy, and higher infant mortality ate during the first few days of life are common in pregnant marijuana smokers. THC causes birth defects including brain damage, spinal cord, forelimbs, liver and water on the brain and spine in test animals. Prenatal exposure may cause underweight newborn babies. Fetal exposure may decrease visual functioning. User's mental function can display the following effects:-- delayed decision making
-- diminished concentration
-- impaired short-term memory
-- impaired signal detection
-- impaired tracking
-- erratic cognitive function
-- distortion of time estimation
Workplace Issues
THC is stored in body fat and slowly released. Marijuana smoking has long-term effects on performance. Increased THC potency in modern marijuana dramatically compounds the side effects. Combining alcohol or other depressant drugs with marijuana increases the impairing effects of both.Cocaine
Used medically as a local anesthetic.
When abused, it becomes a powerful physical and mental stimulant.
The entire nervous system is energized. Muscles tense, heart beats
faster and stronger, and the body burns more energy. The brain
experiences an exhilaration caused by a large release of neurohormones
associated with mood elevation.
Health Effects
Regular use may upset the chemical balance of the brain. As a result, it may speed up the aging process b causing damage to critical nerve cells. Parkinson's disease could also occur. Cocaine causes the heart to beat faster, harder, and rapidly increases blood pressure. It also causes spasms of blood vessels in the brain and heart. Both lead to ruptured vessels causing strokes and heart attacks. Strong dependence can occur with one "hit" or cocaine. Usually mental dependency occurs within days for "crack" or within several months for snorting coke. Cocaine causes the strongest mental dependency of all the drugs. Treatment success rates are lower than with any other chemical dependency. Extremely dangerous when taken with other depressant drugs. Death due o overdose is rapid. Fatal effects are usually not reversible by medical intervention.
Workplace Issues
Extreme mood and energy swings create instability. Sudden noise causes a violent reaction. Lapses in attention and ignoring warning signals increases probability of accidents. High cost frequently leads to theft and/or dealing. Paranoia and withdrawal may create unpredictable or violent behavior. Performance is characterized by forgetfulness, absenteeism, tardiness, and missing assignments.Opiates
Narcotic drugs which alleviate pain and
depress body functions and reactions.
Health Effects
IV needle users have a high risk of contracting hepatitis or AID when sharing needle. Increased pain tolerance. As a result, a person may more severely injure themselves and fail to seek medical attention as needed. Narcotic effects are multiplied when combined with other depressants causing an increased risk for overdose. Because of tolerance, there is an ever increasing need for more. Strong mental and physical dependency occurs. With increased tolerance and dependency combined, there is a serious financial burden for the users.Amphetamines
Central nervous system stimulant that
speeds up the mind and body.
Health Effects
Regular use causes strong psychological dependency and increased tolerance. High doses may cause toxic psychosis resembling schizophrenia. Intoxication may induce a heart attach or stroke due to increased blood pressure. Chronic use may cause heart or brain damage due to severe constriction of capillary blood vessels. Euphoric stimulation increases impulsive and risk taking behavior, including bizarre and violent acts. Withdrawal may result in severe physical and mental depression.Workplace Issues
Since the drug alleviates the sensation of fatigue, it may be abused to increase alertness during periods of overtime or failure to get rest. With heavy use or increasing fatigue, the short-term mental or physical enhancement reverses and becomes impairment.Phencyclidine (PCP)
Often used as a large animal tranquilizer.
Abused primarily for its mood altering effects. Low doses produce
sedation and euphoric mood changes. Mood can rapidly change from
sedation to excitation and a blank stare. Sudden noises or physical
shocks may cause a "freak out" in which the person has abnormal
strength, violent behavior, and an inability to speak or comprehend.
Health Effects
The potential for accidents and overdose emergencies is high due to the extreme mental effects combined with the anesthetic effect on the body. PCP, when combined with other depressants, including alcohol, increases the possibility of an overdose. If misdiagnosed as LSD induced, and treated with Thorazine, can be fatal. Irreversible memory loss, personality changes, and thought disorders may result.Workplace Issues
Not common in workplace primarily because of the severe disorientation that occurs. There are four phases to PCP abuse:-- Acute toxicity causing combativeness, catatonia, convulsions, and coma. Distortions of size, shape, and distorted perception are common.
-- Toxic psychosis with visual and auditory delusions, paranoia and agitation.
-- Drug induced schizophrenia.
-- Induced depression which may create suicidal tendencies and mental dysfunction.
APPENDIX B
DRIVER NOTIFICATION
LETTER
I certify that I have received
a copy of, and have read the above __(Company)__
policy on alcohol and Drug Testing procedures. I understand that
as a condition of employment as a driver I must comply with these guidelines,
and do agree that I will remain medically qualified by following these
procedures. If I develop a program with alcohol or drug abuse
during my employment with __(Company)__, I will seek assistance
through the current alcohol and drug testing program administrator.
_____________________________________ ________________________
(Signed) (Date)
ALCOHOL AND/OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
TEST NOTIFICATION
Part 382 - Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use Testing applies to drivers of this company.
'382.113 Requirement for notice.
Before performing an alcohol or controlled substances test under this part, each employer shall notify a driver that the alcohol or controlled substances testis required by this part. No employer shall falsely represent that a test is administered under this part.
Company Name:
Driver/Applicant Name:
(Print) (First, M.I., Last)
You are hereby notified the following test will be administered in compliance with the
Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Regulations.
1. The test is Scheduled: Date:
Location:
Time:
2. Check type of test: G Alcohol G Controlled Substance
3. Check reason for test: GPre-employment GRandom GReasonable suspicion/cause
GPost-accident GReturn
to Duty GFollow-up
4. Appointment instructions/comments:
I understand as a condition
of my employment with this company, the above test is required.
____________________________________________ _________________________
Driver/Applicant's Signature Date
Witnessed
by:
_____________________________________________ _________________________
Company Representative Date
EMPLOYER: RETAIN IN EMPLOYEE'S CONFIDENTIAL FILE
Drug/Alcohol Policy, Page
