DRUG & ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT IN THE WORKPLACE

WHAT IS IMPAIRMENT ? “A DETERIORATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S JUDGEMENT AND DECREASE IN THEIR PHYSICAL ABILITY TO COMPLETE A TASK”.

Why test for drugs / alcohol at work? The use of drugs and alcohol, even if consumed outside the workplace, can lead to: impairment while at work poor concentration carelessness risk-taking behaviour errors in judgement

ALCOHOL 4

Alcohol Effects and Signs Odor (breath or on person) Intoxication/drunk Glazed look Lack of focus Uncharacteristically passive or combative Argumentative Deterioration of personal hygiene And….

Alcohol. Dysfunctional behavior Poor coordination Blackouts Loss of memory Slow reaction time Trouble with relationships Difficulty walking Violence

Drugs in the workplace The most common drugs found in the workplace are: Alcohol Cannabis Herbal highs / Synthetics Methamphetamine (P or Ice) Prescription drugs Figures show cannabis continues to be the most frequent drug detected, showing up in 71 % of non-negative tests nationwide last year.

NEW ZEALAND CANNABIS USE 20% of the population ‘P’ USERS Per Head of Population 2 nd in the world.

Marijuana/Cannabis.9

Effects after Smoking Cannabis  Glassy, shiny, red eyes  Lack of perception of time/space  Can fall asleep quickly  Logic & memory loss  Hunger  Prolonged laughing at anything  Slow mental & physical reactions RMG OSH Level 3 – March

Prescription Medication

Prescription Drugs REMEMBER Prescription Drugs Are Covered By HSE Act! Most common: Codeine Morphine Ritalin Anti- depressants

METHAMPHETAMINE  Tendency to be very hyperactive in movement and speech  Very excitable and euphoric, increased wakefulness, insomnia  Nausea, dry mouth, hot flushes, sweating, highly emotional and irritable  Continuous scratching, often going to bathroom to wet face so as to cool down  Burns on fingers, scabs  Hiding from people, nervousness SIGNS OF USE 14

What can affect how long a drug stays in their body? Results of drug tests are always unique to the person who was tested Drugs affect people differently These include: the strength of the drug how much of it they use how they use it (e.g. drunk, smoked, injected) how often they use it what other drugs they use

What Does Your Drug Policy Say? Testing for impairment? IMPAIRMENT AT WORK! It is not saying you are CONTROLLING THEIR LIFE But it is implementing a process to ensure your staff are safer at work.