Drug & Alcohol Employee Awareness Training 1 Revised 01102012

Drug & Alcohol Employee Awareness Training

1

Revised 01102012

WELCOME!

Welcome to the Keolis Employee Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training Course.

Our Company’s vision is to be the best passenger transportation company. To that end, our number priority is our unwavering commitment to safety.

The purpose of this training is to provide you with important information about drug abuse and alcohol misuse in order to minimize the risk of dangerous accidents and incidents often a problem in drug-filled workplaces.

2

Keolis Transit America

You Matter

The safety of our employees, passengers and the community in which we serve is our primary concern.

We care about your ability to perform the job we hire you to do.

We care about your personal life, and the negative impact drugs and alcohol can have on you, your family, your friends, and your co-workers.

3


Self Confidence

We hope this Employee Awareness Course will give you the confidence you need to:

Feel comfortable in coming forward about problems related to drugs and alcohol

Seek help when needed, and

Encourage your co-workers to do the same.

4


Personal Inventory

If you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, we hope you have taken every measure possible to stop the cycle of substance abuse.

5


Need Help?

If you, or someone you know needs help, but you don’t know where to turn, make a personal phone call to the Human Resources department, and ask for information. Keolis HR Office – 954-523-2252

We will do everything possible to keep your questions and concerns confidential.

6


What Can You Do?

You can commit to fight substance abuse problems in the workplace, and at home.

After all, it could be a matter of life or death.

7


Drugs and AlcoholWhat’s the Big Deal You Ask?

Good question!

Drugs and alcohol in the workplace are a big deal because they cost

Time, Money, and Lives!

8


Drugs Cost Companies Time and Money

Some of the ways drugs cost your company time and money are:

People call in sick or show up late for work.Production line slow downs.Quality defects in the products and services.

9


Wasted Time and Money

More ways drugs cost your company time and money are:

Workplace accidents and incidents.Inventory shortages.Missing parts and supplies.An increase in the use of expensive medical benefits.The company’s insurance rates go up.

10


The Bottom Line

All these problems affect our company’s bottom line and can potentially limit the ability to offer richer benefit programs to our workforce.

And, when someone is using drugs or alcohol on the job, guess who has to pick up the slack?

That’s right!

YOU!!

11


Substance Abuse Is Simply Not Acceptable

Drug abuse and alcohol misuse put workers at risk, including YOU

In addition, our passengers and our community may also be at risk

Substance abuse promotes an environment of mistrust and suspicion and can dilute your value both personally and professionally

12


Lying and Cover Ups

Drug and alcohol abusers ask co-workers to lie for them, and to cover up for them.

This creates what we call an atmosphere of “Co-Dependence”.

This is also a direct violation of the company’s policy regarding professional code of conduct.

13


Co-Dependence

Co-Dependence means you feel obligated to make excuses for someone else so they don’t get in trouble, or so they don’t feel the consequences of their own actions.

This only makes the situation worse and can potentially impact your status and professional position with our company.

14


Are you an Enabler?

You can probably think of times you covered up for someone at home or at work.

Eventually, you probably felt bad about it.

You may have observed someone doing something wrong, or even dangerous, but you thought it was best just to look the other way and keep quiet.

This is called “nabling”.

15


Does Covering Up Help?

Covering up and co-dependence compromises your safety, your health, and the well-being of your workplace.

Don’t fall into the trap of covering up for others.

It makes the situation worse and causes the problem to last longer.

Covering up doesn’t help anyone.

16


What is Keolis doing to make your Workplace Drug and Alcohol Free?

17


We Will Not Look the Other Way

Our management team are fully trained and are aware to the dangers drugs and alcohol cause in the workplace.

Keolis/Diversified Transportation has a “zero tolerance” for drug or alcohol abuse are will not look the other way.

If there is a problem it will be addressed.

Managers will not look the other way

And neither should you!

18


Drug Free Company Policy

Companies all across America and the world are implementing Drug Free Workplace Policies.

Keolis provides important information about substance abuse as a demonstration of our support for your safety, health and well being as well as the others we come in contact with.

19


Applicants and Employees

Our commitment to safety begins at the initial states of employment. Pre-employment applicants are given notice that drugs and alcohol in the workplace are not tolerated.

Our company policy will state how drug and alcohol problems will be dealt with.

The policy includes employee disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.

20


Who Can Answer My Questions?

If you are not familiar with your company’s policy on drugs and alcohol, talk to the Human Resources department. The office is staffed to assist you in understanding our policies. Feel free to call us at 954-523-2252

An HR representation can answer questions about our company’s policy and procedures.

21


Will I be Tested for Drugs or Alcohol?

In furtherance of our commitment to a drug free workplace policy, Keolis conducts

Pre-employment drug and alcohol tests on applicants, and Post-Accident and Reasonable Suspicion tests on company employees.

22


Testing will make a user “Think Twice”

Drug and alcohol testing is a very effective deterrent.

Substance abusers think twice about using if they know getting tested may mean their

Job, Paycheck, and Livelihood.

23


Reasons for Testing

Some employers test their workforce at Random throughout the year. If your company has a “second-chance” policy, after testing positive, they may require you to have a negative

Return-to-duty test and negative Follow-up tests.

24


Seek Help Before a Test

Don’t wait to try to come clean after a positive test.

If you have a problem, come forward now, and seek help before you get tested for drugs or alcohol.

Keolis has an Employee Assistance Program that is available for all employees.

Our company has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy, you may not get a second chance to seek help.

25


Employee Assistance Programs

Many companies have an Employee Assistance Program, sometimes referred to as an “EAP”.

You may contact the EAP at your convenience for confidential counseling and referrals toll free at

1-800-756-5792

26


Ask for Help

Don’t wait to make that call.

If you, or a co-worker, need help, it’s never too early to ask for help.

27


WORKPLACE TESTING

28


What type of drug and alcohol testing does our company do?

Keolis is mandated by Federal Regulations to conduct certain type of tests at particular times.

29


DOT Testing

For example, the Department of Transportation mandates testing for workers in the transportation industry

All employees in safety sensitive positions are required to be tested according to DOT rules.

30


Do drugs and alcohol really show up on the tests?

Absolutely!

The testing requires a urine sample while testing for drugs.

31


Testing Methods

The testing methods can provide very accurate information about the drugs in the system at the time of the test.

You should be aware that drugs can be detected anytime from just moments ago, to up to several months after use.

32


Is there any way to beat the drug tests?

Not really. If you or one of your co-workers are abusing drugs or alcohol, they will show up on a test eventually.

Please also be reminded that your work performance will be reviewed and addressed if there is validated and documented concerns.

33


Alcohol Testing

Alcohol, on the other hand, is usually tested in Breath, Saliva, or sometimes Blood or Urine.

34


Tampering with a Test

Some advertisements claim there are products available that can help a drug abuser “beat” the drug test.

But, drug test collectors are specially trained to look for certain signs related to tampering with or substituting the specimens.

35


Refusals to Test

If an employee is caught attempting to “beat” a drug test, the situation will be treated like a refusal to test.

Keolis policy has the same consequences for a refusal to test as a positive test and may result in the termination of employment.

36


Testing Devices

Drug test laboratories, and the technicians trained to conduct alcohol tests, use very sophisticated, accurate devices to test for drugs or alcohol

Even small traces of drugs or alcohol will show up on most tests conducted these days.

37


Zero Tolerance

As stated earlier, Keolis has a “zero tolerance” policy, it’s highly unlikely that someone abusing drugs or misusing alcohol will come out with a negative test result.

38


Testing Process

Labs and alcohol technicians generally use a two-step testing process.

If the presence of drugs or alcohol is detected, they will generally confirm their findings by a second, conclusive test, called a confirmation test.

39


ALCOHOL

40


Why is alcohol in the workplace an issue?

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance.

Although adults may legally consume alcohol, impairment occurs even in low concentrations of alcohol in the body.

41


Impairment

Studies compiled by the American Medical Association state that all individuals are impaired at a 0.040 alcohol concentration level.

42


Levels of Impairment

0.040 is half the legal drunk driving limit in most states. The same studies show that some individuals are impaired at alcohol levels as low as 0.020.

43


Alcohol and Safety

Our company is concerned about your well being and safety as well as those individuals that you may come in contact with.

If you are in a safety-sensitive position, you could be jeopardizing safety even with a small amount of alcohol in your system.

44


Zero Tolerance for Alcohol

This is why we have implemented “zero tolerance” policies not just for drugs, but for alcohol as well.

45


Alcohol in the Body

Alcohol testing can accurately determine the amount of alcohol in your system at the time of the test

Results are usually immediate.

46


Consequences

If you test positive for alcohol, you will be removed you from your job duties.

The severity of the consequences is clearly outlined in our company policy.

47


ALCOHOLICS

Over 13 million people in the United States abuse alcohol, or are “alcoholic”.

Alcohol abusers include every gender, race, and nationality.

Young adults ages 18-29 have the greatest alcohol problems.

48


Costs of Misusing Alcohol

Alcohol abuse costs society $250 billion per year in healthcare, public safety and social expenses.

Alcohol can cost you your

Job, your Family, or yourLife.

49


Alcohol-Related Injuries

Approximately one-third of Unintentional Injuries including

Motor vehicle crashes FallsDrownings Burns and Unintended Gunshot Wounds are alcohol related.

50


Preventable Injuries

Preventable incidents claim close to 100,000 lives each year.

51


Alcoholism

Alcoholism is known as “alcohol dependence” and includes four main symptoms:

52


Alcohol Dependence Symptoms

Craving: A strong desire, or urge, to drink.

Loss of control: An inability to stop drinking once drinking has begun.

Physical dependence: Withdrawal symptoms including nausea, sweating, the shakes, anxiety.

Tolerance: The need to drink more alcohol to get the same effect, or high.

53


Is Alcohol harmful to my health?

Alcoholism is a disease.

The craving for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water.

54


Can an Alcoholic stop drinking?

An alcoholic cannot stop drinking despite serious health, family, work, or legal problems.

The risk for developing alcoholism runs in families.

55


Factors leading to Alcoholism

However, the friends you hang out with, the amount of stress in your life, and the availability of alcohol are all factors that can increase your chances of becoming an alcoholic.

56


Knowledge of Alcohol Risks

Knowing you may be at risk can help you to protect yourself from developing a problem.

57


Does treatment for alcoholism work?

Even when an alcoholic does not drink for long periods of time, they are still prone to relapses.

Alcoholism cannot be cured, but it can be treated.

58


What can the Alcoholic do?

In order to avoid a relapse, an alcoholic must abstain from all alcoholic beverages.

59


Do Alcoholics Need Help?

Most alcoholics need help to control their disease.

The longer a person abstains from drinking alcohol, the more likely they are to stay sober.

60


What are the long term effects of alcoholism?

Brain, heart or liver damageHeart failureStroke, High blood pressureLiver cirrhosis and Death.

61


Are all alcohol users alcoholics?

You can be an alcohol abuser without being an alcoholic.

Alcohol abuse can be just as harmful as alcoholism.

62


Alcohol-Related Problems

Alcohol abuse problems include not being able to work, go to school, and take care of family responsibilities due to drinking.

63


Alcohol Incidents

Alcohol abuse can lead to drunk driving, car crashes, and criminal activity.

Some medical conditions are drinking-related.

Sometimes social or moderate drinking can be dangerous.

64


Do Not Drink And…

Do not drink if you are going to:Drive a carOperate heavy equipment or machineryPerform a safety-sensitive dutyBecome pregnant (or if you are pregnant)Take medications

65


What do you consider “one” drink?

One drink is equal to:One 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine coolerOne 5-ounce glass of wineOne shot of 80-proof liquor

66


What will my alcohol level be after a few drinks?

The average 175-pound male tested for alcohol will be 0.040 after only 2-3 drinks consumed in one hour.

67


What are the signs of an alcohol problem?

Ask yourself four basic questions to find out if you, a loved one, or a co-worker has a drinking problem:

68


Drinking Problem Assessment Question #1

Have you ever felt like you should cut down on drinking?

69



Do you become annoyed when others criticize your drinking?

70



Do you feel bad or guilty about drinking?

71



Have you ever had to drink first thing in the morning, before going to work, or prior to a social event to calm your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

72


Did you answer “Yes”?

Only one “Yes” answer to any of the questions above suggests a possible problem with alcohol.

73


Seek Help

If you, or someone you know, has a drinking problem, the best thing to do is seek help right away.

Speak to your regional Human Resource professional for more information about how to get help.

74


How can I help someone who may be an alcoholic?

Stop covering up for the alcoholic.

Don’t make excuses for them, or try to protect them.

75


Helping an Alcoholic

Let them experience the consequences of their drinking.

Get advice about intervention.

Seek outside assistance.

76


DRUGS OF ABUSE

77


Drugs Tested For

These drugs are sometimes referred to as the”DOT-5” drugs because DOT mandates that workers in DOT-covered positions be tested for these drugs:

MarijuanaCocaineOpiates (Heroin, Codeine and Morphine)AmphetaminesPhencyclidine or “PCP”

78


MARIJUANA

79


MARIJUANA

As you probably know, marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug, and is widely available.

80


Marijuana Use

Marijuana is used by over 9.5 million Americans.Ten percent of the American workforce admits to current marijuana use.

81


Who Abuses Marijuana?Marijuana users span all ages.

Males and females are equally likely to use marijuana.

Marijuana is used by all racial and ethnic groups.

82


Names for Marijuana

Marijuana is commonly referred to as PotDope GrassReeferMary JaneWeed and other slang names.

83


Marijuana Potency

The type of marijuana used today is much more potent than the marijuana of the 60’s and 70’s.

The most potent form of marijuana is “hashish”.

84


What does Marijuana look like?

Marijuana is easily recognizable.

It is a green plant with an odd number of leaves per stem.

When dried, marijuana is greenish or brown in color, chopped, and kept in baggies. It resembles oregano.

Sometimes marijuana seeds are baked in food or chewed.

85


What are some types of Marijuana paraphernalia?

Drug paraphernalia includes

Rolling papers Roach clips Glass or plastic smoking bongs, and Pipes.

86


How is Marijuana used?

Marijuana is most often smoked like cigarettes or cigars, called

“joints” or “blunts”, or in a pipe or “bong.”

87


Is Marijuana harmful to my health?

Marijuana use will impair your ability to perform motor tasks and will slow your reaction times.

Your sense of time and motion will be effected.

88


What are the effects of Marijuana?

Marijuana will give you a lazy feeling and curb your motivation to work.

It will give you food cravings.

Marijuana will cause blood shot eyes.

Marijuana gives off a distinct smell of smoke that is different from cigarette smoke.

89


Observable Signs of Marijuana

Our supervisory and management staff have been trained to recognize these signs and symptoms.

If you, or a co-worker are observed by a trained supervisor exhibiting these signs and symptoms, you will be taken for a reasonable suspicion drug test.

90


Marijuana and Drug Testing

Marijuana can be detected in a urine drug test for up to 30 days, and in hair for up to 90 days.

Very recent use can be detected in saliva.

91


Can Marijuana use cause any long term affects?

Yes.

Frequent marijuana use can result in lung and pulmonary disease.

Marijuana smoke is twice as bad as nicotine on the lungs.

92


Marijuana Effects

It can cause you to suffer from chronic fatigue, fertility problems, paranoia, and psychosis.

You can become addicted to marijuana, and develop a desire to abuse other illegal drugs.

93


COCAINE andCRACK COCAINE

94

COCAINE and CRACK

Over 1.5 million Americans use cocaine and 65% of them are employed in the U.S. workforce.

Cocaine users are masters of cover-up and denial.

95


Do Cocaine Abusers Use at Work?

According to the National Cocaine Hotline, 75% say they use cocaine on the job.

It’s no wonder your employer is concerned about drugs in the workplace.

96


Cocaine Abuse at Work

Cocaine abusers admit cocaine adversely affects their job performance.

44% admit to selling cocaine to their co-workers, and many admit to stealing from co-workers to support their habit.

97


Financial Problems

Cocaine is very expensive, so abusers often experience serious financial consequences.

A cocaine abuser will often ask others for money.

Cocaine abuse is a problem for both white collar and blue collar workers.

98


What does Cocaine look like and how is it used?

White powder cocaine is the most commonly abused form of cocaine.

It is often snorted into the nose through a small straw, or rubbed onto the gums or under the tongue.

99


How does Crack Cocaine differ from powder Cocaine?

Crack cocaine looks like small rocks or chips, and is heated in a pipe, or in a bong, or on a spoon.

The smoke from the liquefied crack is then inhaled.

This is called “freebasing.”

100


How is liquid Crack used?

Liquid crack can be injected into the veins by a needle.

101


Is Cocaine harmful to my health?

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant.

When cocaine is snorted, or when crack is injected, smoked, or inhaled, its effects on the body are nearly immediate.

102


Do cocaine abusers use often?

Because the effects of cocaine and crack wear off very quickly, cocaine abusers will use over and over again to sustain the high.

Repeated and consecutive cocaine use is very common, and very dangerous.

103


What are some of the signs of Cocaine abuse?

Cocaine will cause dilated pupils, nosebleeds, excitability, and obvious mood swings.

104


What else can cocaine cause?

Cocaine abuse can cause insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, and a loss of appetite.

105


Are there other health problems after cocaine abuse?

Cocaine will also cause fast breathing, hyperventilation, an increased pulse rate, high blood pressure, and fever.Addiction and depression are common after only a few

uses.

106


Cocaine and Drug Testing

Cocaine can be detected in a urine drug test for several days, and in hair for up to 90 days.

Recent cocaine use can be detected in saliva.

107


Can Cocaine abuse cause any long term affects?

Yes! Serious medical problems includeheart attack, high blood pressure, hallucinations, convulsions, addiction, psychological dependence, and death.

108


AMPHETAMINES

109


AMPHETAMINES

Amphetamines are typically known as “uppers”.

The amphetamine drug class includes bothamphetamines and methamphetamine.

110


What is Amphetamine?

Amphetamine is a legally prescribed medicines that are illegally abused

Amphetamine is highly addictive and has been the cause of many high profile overdoses and deaths.

111


What are the street names for Amphetamine?

Street names for amphetamine include“speed, uppers, bennies, and black beauties”.

112


Which prescriptions medicines contain Amphetamine?

Diet pills often contain some form of amphetamine. Some prescription names include

Ritalin, Dexedrine, Preludin, and Biphetamine.

113


What are the side effects of Amphetamine abuse?

Abusers often experience withdrawal and “crashing”.

114


How is amphetamine used?

Amphetamine is usually taken by mouth in pill or capsule form.

The pills come in all shapes and sizes.

115


Is Amphetamine harmful to my health?

Amphetamines are highly addictive stimulants.

116


How is Amphetamine abused?

Amphetamine use may legitimately begin with a legal prescription.

But after the user builds up a tolerance for the drug, more is needed to obtain the same effect.

Frequent use can lead to abuse and addiction.

117


What are some of the side effects of Amphetamines?

Common side effects of amphetamines include rapid weight loss, irritability and hyperactivity.

118


What is Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is growing in popularity in America and usually manufactured in clandestine “meth labs”.

You’ve probably read about “meth lab” drug busts in your local newspaper.

119


What are the street names for Methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is referred to as “meth, crank, crystal, or ice”.

“Ice” is a nearly 100 percent pure form of methamphetamine.

120


What does Methamphetamine look like and how is it used?

Methamphetamine, on the other hand, is typically in powder or crystal form, and is heated, then smoked or injected by hypodermic needle.

121


Is Methamphetamine potent?

Methamphetamine is so potent that users often become addicted after trying the drug just a few times.

122


What are some of the signs of Methamphetamine use?

Other signs include high blood pressure, dilated pupils, insomnia, mood swings, migraine headaches, excitation, hallucinations, paranoia and convulsions.

123


Amphetamines and Drug Testing

Amphetamines can be detected in a urine drug test for several days, and in hair for up to 90 days.

Recent use can be detected in saliva.

124


Can Amphetamines cause any long term effects?

Yes! Long term effects include memory loss, paranoia, depression and hallucinations.

Methamphetamine can cause violent episodes.

125


Are there other long term effects?

Abusers may experience withdrawal and “crashing”, heart attack, stroke, brain damage, or death from overdose.

126


OPIATES

127


OPIATES

Opiates are narcotics and are abused both in their legally prescribed forms of Morphine and Codeine, and in the illegal form, Heroin.

128


What form of opiate abuse is most common?

Ninety percent of opiate abusers use heroin. Over 2.5 million Americans have admitted to using heroin at some point in their lifetime.

129


What are the risks of abusing heroin?

The abuse of heroin is increasing.

Due to severe mind-altering effects, opiate abuse accounts for many emergency room incidents each year.

130


Are there medical uses for Opiates?

Morphine and Codeine are prescribed for extreme pain relief and found in medications such as Tylenol with codeine, Robitussin, and other prescription meds.

On the other hand, there are no medical uses for heroin in the U.S.

131


What are the common names for Heroin?

Heroin is referred to as “H”, “smack, dope, and junk”. White heroin and black tar

heroin are the most common types.

132


How is Heroin abused?

Heroin is often injected.

Needle sharing and AIDS-related diseases are common among heroin abusers.

133


Can Heroin be snorted?

Heroin can also be snorted.

Some abusers are misled by believing that snorting heroin is less dangerous and will not cause overdose.

These claims are false.

134


What is “Speedballing”

Cocaine and heroin mixed together are called “speedballs”.

This combination is extremely dangerous.

135


Are Opiates harmful to my health?

Opiates are highly addictive drugs classified as depressants.

Opiates cause constricted, or pinpoint pupils.

136


How does Opiate abuse affect Safety?

Opiate abusers lose a sense of their surroundings.

Motor skills are greatly impaired and poor judgment ensues, so driving or performing any type of safety-sensitive job should be out of the question.

137


What are the effects of Opiates on the body?

Opiates slow down the heart rate, decrease blood pressure, and cause slowed breathing.

138


Other Opiate Effects

Opiate abusers can easily become depressed, and have a high tolerance to pain.

They may ignore their own serious injuries.

139


Can Opiate abuse cause accidents?

Euphoria, dizziness, and muscle relaxation and slowed reaction times can cause workplace accidents.

140


Opiates and Drug Testing

Opiates can be detected in a urine drug test for several days, and in hair for up to 90 days.


141


Can Opiate abuse cause any long term effects?

Absolutely!

Long term abuse will cause an increased tolerance for the drug and addiction.

Long term health problems include

AIDS, hepatitis, brain damage and ultimately death.

142


PHENCYCLIDINE“PCP”

143


PHENCYCLIDINE – PCP

Phencyclidine is a horse tranquilizer called “PCP”.

It is the least frequently abused of the “DOT-5” drugs.

PCP use is more common in some areas of the U.S. than others.

144


What is PCP?

PCP is a hallucinogen known as “angel dust or crystal”.

It is a mood altering drug and a central nervous system stimulant.

145


Is PCP a prescribed drug?

Phencyclidine is a man-made drug.

There are no legitimate medical uses for PCP.

146


How is PCP used?

PCP can be found in liquid, crystalline, or powder form.

It is most commonly used by placing drops onto tobacco or marijuana cigarettes. PCP can also be snorted, taken orally, or injected by hypodermic needle.

147


What are the effects of PCP?

Due to the extreme mood swings associated with PCP abuse, users can cause serious harm to their family members, co-workers, and to themselves.

148


Are there other effects of PCP?

PCP users often exhibit violent behavior.

They have erratic concentration problems that interfere with mood, memory, and logical thinking.

PCP abusers will make serious errors in judgment.

149


Is PCP harmful to my health?

Due to PCP’s anesthetic, pain relieving effects, accidents are a serious risk for the PCP abuser.

An individual abusing PCP can sustain a severe injury and not even realize it.

150


What are the signs of PCP abuse?

PCP abuse can resemble a drunken state.

The abuser may stagger, be apathetic, have slurred speech, and exhibit bizarre behavior.

The abuser may also be observed doing repetitive motions, excessively salivating, or experiencing muscle rigidity.

151


PCP and Safety

Serious safety risks are due to impairment of coordination, and hallucinations and/or bizarre thinking.

All of these signs and symptoms present a problem in the workplace.

152


PCP and Drug Testing

PCP can be detected in a urine drug test for several days, and in hair for up to 90 days.


153


Can PCP abuse cause any long term affects?

Of course! PCP’s long term effects can include memory loss, speech impairment, drastic personality changes, social withdrawal, aggression, convulsions, psychosis, violent behavior, and even flashbacks.

154


155


Ecstasy (MDMA)

Ecstacy (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine), is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that is chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. MDMA causes an increase in serotonin which plays an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep, pain, appetite, and other behaviors.

156

Ecstasy users make extremely dangerous drivers. They can exhibit the same impairments as amphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and hallucinogen users. Some ways driving ability is affected by ecstasy use include:

Slowed thinking and reflexes- making reacting difficult Distorted visual and depth perception Difficulty making complex decisions Lengthened glare recovery time Overly confident in driving skills and judgment Lapses in attention and concentration - driver is unable to display continuous attention Distorted vision Auditory and visual hallucinations

Ecstasy (MDMA)

157


Prescription or Over-the-Counter Medication

Under Company policy, the appropriate use of legally prescribed drugs and non-prescription medications is not prohibited. However, employees must notify their manager and may not perform any safety-sensitive function if their medication carries a warning label that mental functioning, motor skills or judgment may be adversely affected, unless the medication is being used in accordance with the instructions of a physician who has provided a written determination that the substance will not adversely affect the employee’s ability to safely perform safety-sensitive duties.

CONCLUSION

Our company’s #1 value is the commitment to safety. We will not compromise this value!

Safety is Everyone’s #1 Responsibility.

THANK YOU for your attention during the Drug & Alcohol Employee Awareness Training Course and for your continued commitment to our company and to our clients and the passengers we serve.

158

Documents

Drug & Alcohol Employee Awareness Training 1 Revised 01102012