Misconception:

Drug Testing by EmployersIs Really Just For Safety

Reasons

Drug Use and Abuse in the Workplace:

Decreases productivity◦ 2.2 times more likely to ask for early dismissal or

time off◦ 2.5 times more likely to be absent 8 or more days◦ 3 times more likely to be late for work◦ Marijuana biggest culprit – “laid back, dude”◦ Function at about 67% of capacity

Drug Use and Abuse in the Workplace:

Negatively affects the work environment and culture◦ Feelings of “picking up the slack”◦ Behavior◦ Affects on customers

Decreased trust in company Credibility issues

◦ Increased employee turnover

Drug Use and Abuse in the Workplace:

Increased Risk, Claims and Negative Financial Impact 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident 5 times more likely to file a worker’s comp claim Cost employers 2 times as much in medical claims Increased incidents of theft and embezzlement Increased chances of sexual harassment claims Increases in other claims and litigation

According to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA):

18 to 25 years old Less educated Male Divorced or Never Married White Low Paid

Note: This is GeneralDifferent Drugs Each Have Their Own

Demographics

Industries With The Highest Rates of Illicit Drug Use:

Food Preparation Workers Waiters/Waitresses/Bartenders Construction Workers Those that work in Transportation/Material

Moving

14.8 Million Americans Are Illicit Drug Users

77% Are Employed(That is 9.4 Million People)

So, what are your chances of hiring someone with a substance abuse

problem?

Most commonly abused drugs in the workplace, according to the DEA:

Marijuana (THC) Amphetamine/Methamphetamine

◦ Including ADHD Drugs Barbiturates Benzodiazepenes Opioids

◦ Prescription Drug Abuse Over-The-Counter Medications

Most highly abused illicit drug

Potency is increasing Over 25 million

individuals age 12 or older used marijuana in 2007

Highest use age group: 18 – 25

Stimulants◦ Appetite Suppression◦ Euphoria◦ Increased Focus◦ Used on college campuses

during finals Includes:

◦ Adderall◦ Ritalin◦ Phentermine

Stimulant◦ Increases alertness and energy◦ Induces euphoria◦ Enhances self-esteem and sexual pleasure◦ “Tweaking”◦ “Meth Mouth”

Biggest Problem – Usually Entire Families are Hooked

Many times “home cooked”◦ Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine (eg Sudafed, Contac)◦ Red Phosphorous◦ Iodine◦ Other “ingredients”◦ Think “Breaking Bad”

Faces of Meth:

Faces of Meth:

Depressants Usually prescribed as

“sleeping pills” Includes

◦ Phenobarbital◦ Amobartibal (Amytal)◦ Pentobarbital (Nembutal)◦ Secobarbital (Seconal)

Depressants Prescribed For:

◦ Anxiety◦ Sleep Disorders◦ Muscle Relaxant

Includes but not limited to:◦ Alprazolam (Xanax)◦ Bromazepam◦ Lorazepam (Ativan)◦ Diazepam (Valium)◦ Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)◦ Oxazepam (Serax)

Opioids in drug testing panels means “natural opiates”◦ Morphine◦ Codeine◦ Heroin◦ Does not include semi –synthetic or synthetic

opiates commonly used for pain management

Used for:◦ Pain◦ Cough◦ Diarrhea

Be Aware of the Over-The-Counter

Products

Hand Sanitizer Dextromethorphan

(cough/cold meds) Inhalants/Volatiles

Five (5) Panel Drug Screen (DOT or Non-DOT)

Marijuana (THC) Amphetamine/Methamphetamine Cocaine Opiates Phencyclidine (PCP)

Ten (10) Panel Drug Screen

Five (5) Panel Drug Screen Plus Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Propoxyphene Methadone

Many commonly abused drugs if only a 5 panel is tested

Prescription Pain Medications◦ Synthetic Opioids

Hydrocodone (Vicodin®) Oxycodone (OxyContin) Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®) Meperidine (Demerol®) Fentanyl

Muscle Relaxants/Sleep Aids◦ Ambien (A hypnotic, not a barbiturate)◦ Carisoprodol, aka Soma (A muscle relaxer)

How do they get them?◦ “Doctor shopping”◦ Theft◦ Forged Prescriptions◦ Unscrupulous Physicians and/or Pharmacists◦ Internet Pharmacies◦ Friends and Family

Many pain medication abusers commit insurance fraud to fund their problem

2007 Statistics 5.2% of pain med drug abusers stole them

from friends and/or family 8.9% of pain med drug abusers bought

them from friends and/or family 56.5% of pain med drug abusers were given

the drugs from their friends and/or family◦ Old and new prescriptions◦ From their “stock”

“Old School” Drug Testing Panels and Programs

Type of Specimens Tested◦ Detection Periods◦ Adulteration Opportunities◦ “Quick Kits”

Program Administration◦ Too much time between notice and drug test◦ Anticipated random testing

References used from and Resources: National Institute on Drug & Alcohol (NIDA)

www.drugabuse.gov SAMHSA, www.workplace.samhsa.gov Dawn Mathis, Drug Enforcement Administration

ExperTox, Inc.1803 Center Street, Suite A

Deer Park, TX 77536281-476-4600

www.expertox.com