(A) Employees who abuse drugs and/or alcohol cause more absenteeism, loss in work productivity, more accidents and more medical claims. This results in a loss of $140 billion to American businesses each year.
(B) Compared with the average employee, a typical drug-using employee in the workplace is:
(1) 2.5 times more likely to be absent 8 days or more each year,
(2) 3 times more likely to be late for work,
(3) 3.6 times more likely to be involved in workplace accidents,
(4) 5 times more likely to file a workers' compensation claim; and,
(5) incur 300% higher medical claims.
(C) Marijuana.
(1) The common name for the drug made from chopped leaves, stems and flowering tops of a cannabis plant. Some common street names for marijuana are "dope," "grass," "joint," "pot," "reefer." Marijuana can be smoked or eaten.
(2) Marijuana is a depressant and mind-altering drug. It works on the brain and causes hallucinations. A person operating a CMV while using marijuana is more than likely to experience slowed reaction time, reduced concentration, distorted vision and depth perception, is slower in making decisions, often drives slower than the speed limit, is unable to correctly measure distance and time, and has impaired short-term memory.
(3) Some of the symptoms and signs of marijuana use are:
short-term memory loss
slowed thinking
moodiness
dilated pupils
reddened eyes
loss of memory
increased heart rate
increased appetite
paranoia
(4) Some visible signs noted for the presence of marijuana are:
roach clips
cigarette rolling papers
"one hitters" (usually metal - slim tubular device)
small pipes
bongs
(5) The active ingredient in marijuana (THC) is stored in the body fat and could be retained for days or weeks, depending on the quality of the drug, the tolerance of the user and the dosage or amount taken. Marijuana and alcohol together will magnify the effects of both many times. Chronic marijuana smoking could cause severe irritation of the lungs, heart problems, reduced immune system and possible brain damage.
(D) Phencyclidine (PCP).
(1) PCP was developed originally as an anesthetic but was taken off the market because it sometimes caused hallucinations. The most common street names for PCP are "angel dust," "crystal," "tea" and "THC." PCP is sold in various forms, mainly as a white, off-white or brown crystal-like powder, tablet or capsule. It can be ingested by mouth, snorted or injected intravenously. It can also be smoked when combined with marijuana or tobacco.
(2) A person operating a CMV while using PCP is more than likely to experience impaired coordination and dulled senses, a sense of power, drowsiness, aggressive behavior, hallucinations and blurred or double-vision. In some cases a person could even experience convulsions, coma, ruptured blood vessels in the brain, heart and lung failure, or even death.
(3) Some of the symptoms and signs of PCP use are:
confusion
drowsiness
increased heart rate, sweating, aggressive behavior
disorientation
increased blood pressure
anxiety
dizziness
hallucinations
panic
(4) Some of the signs for the presence of PCP are:
needles
syringes
plastic packets with a powdery substance
tablets
capsules
(5) PCP is water soluble but still could be retained in the body's system for days, depending on the quality of the drug, the tolerance of the user and the dosage or amount taken. PCP and alcohol together is dangerous and could cause an overdose. Chronic PCP use could cause hallucinations, psychosis, convulsions, coma or possible death.
(E) Cocaine.
(1) Cocaine comes from the leaves of coca plants. Some common street names for cocaine are "coke," "crack," "rock," "snort," "toot," "blow," and "snow." Cocaine can be snorted, injected intravenously, smoked or free-based (heating the cocaine and inhaling the vapors).
(2) Cocaine stimulates the body's central nervous system. Psychological dependence on the drug can be high with repeated use.
(3) A person operating a CMV while using cocaine is more than likely to experience impatience, anger, overstimulated reflexes, distorted vision and depth perception, slow reaction time and false sense of security and alertness. In some cases, a person could even experience seizures, heart attacks, convulsions, hallucinations and death.
(4) Some of the symptoms and signs of cocaine use are:
dilated pupils
paranoia
runny nose
increased blood pressure
restlessness
anxiety
depressions
nervousness
weight loss
talkativeness
needle marks
irritability
nose bleeds
hallucinations
(5) Some of the signs for the presence of cocaine are:
small spoons
needles
syringes
razor blades
mirrors
small plastic bags or vials
small drinking straws
rolled paper currency
small butane torch
(6) Cocaine is water soluble but still could be retained in the body's system for several days, depending on the quality of the drug, the tolerance of the user and the dosage or amounts taken. Cocaine causes the most mental dependency of any known drug. Cocaine and depressants, taken together, can be very dangerous or even fatal. Intravenous users have a high risk of contracting liver disease, tetanus, serum hepatitis and AIDS from the use of needles. Chronic cocaine use could cause seizures, heart attacks, strokes, convulsions, depression or death.
(F) Amphetamines.
(1) Amphetamines are manufactured central nervous system stimulants used most often by drivers to stay awake. Psychological dependence on the drug can be high with repeated use. Some common street names for amphetamines are "speed," "crank," "meth," "crystal," "diet pills," "bennies" and "uppers."
(2) In pure form, amphetamines are yellowish crystals in which some are made into tablets, pills or capsules. Amphetamines can be ingested in tablet, pill or capsule form, snorted, or injected intravenously if in powder or liquid form.
(3) A person operating a CMV while using amphetamines is more than likely to experience delayed reaction time, overstimulated reflexes, anxiety, irritability, distorted vision and depth perception, and a false sense of security and alertness.
(4) Some of the symptoms and signs of amphetamine use are:
loss of appetite
weight loss
dilated pupils
dry mouth
sleeplessness
needle marks
hallucinations
anxiety
depression
nervousness
talkativeness
increased blood pressure
sweating
paranoia
(5) Some of the signs for the presence of amphetamines are:
pills
tablets
capsules
small plastic bags or vials
needles
syringes
razor blades
small drinking straws
rolled paper currency
small butane torch
(6) Amphetamines are water-soluble, but still could be retained in the body's system for several days depending on the quality of the drug, the tolerance of the user and the dosage or amount taken. Chronic amphetamine use could cause physical collapse, delusions, hallucinations, brain damage, heart damage, toxic psychosis or death.
(G) Opiates.
(1) Some opiates come from the seed pod of the Asian poppy. Other opiates are synthesized or manufactured. Psychological dependence can be high with repeated use. Some common street names are "horse," "junk," "smack," "downers," "M," "yellow jackets," "blues" and "ludes."
(2) Opiates are in many different compounds and forms. The most common are the pills, tablets or capsules. Other compounds and forms are in liquid or powder form. Opiates can be injected, smoked or injected intravenously.
(3) A person operating a CMV while using opiates is more than likely to experience distorted sense of time and distance, slowed reflexes, difficulty focusing, drowsiness and little or no concentration.
(4) Some of the symptoms and signs of opiate use are:
nausea
loss of appetite
drowsiness
depression
reduced pain
constricted pupils
diarrhea
vomiting
sweating
memory loss
short attention span
cold or moist skin
confusion
needle marks
(5) Some of the signs for the presence of opiates are:
pills
tablets
capsules
needles
syringes
small spoons
eye droppers
small packets
bottle caps
(6) Opiates are water soluble, but still could be retained in the body's system for one to several days, depending on the quality of the drug, the tolerance of the user and the dosage or amount taken. Opiates taken with alcohol and other depressant drugs magnify the effects of the opiates and could lead to overdoses. Intravenous users have a high risk of contracting liver disease, tetanus, serum hepatitis and AIDS from the use of needles. Chronic opiate use could cause loss of consciousness, convulsions, coma or death.
(H) Alcohol.
(1) Some common street names for alcohol are "booze," "juice," "brew," "sauce" and "hooch."
(2) As a rule, a drink or two will create a feeling of well-being. What determines the rate of metabolism in the body and how fast it dissipates the alcohol depends on the altitude, the driver's body weight, metabolism, stomach content, gender, and whether the driver is sick or healthy, rested or tired. After the first drink or two, impairment begins, depending on the factors stated above. When the driver consumes alcohol that produces physical or mood-altering effects, it becomes a substance of abuse.
(3) A person operating a CMV while using alcohol is more than likely to experience blurred or distorted vision, impaired reaction time, impaired judgment, anger, nausea, drowsiness and aggressiveness.
(4) Some of the symptoms and signs of alcohol use are:
slurred speech
odor on breath
flushed skin
glazed eyes
blackouts
drowsiness
incoherence
memory loss
unsteadiness
loss of concentration
insomnia
hostility
(5) Chronic alcohol use could cause brain damage, neurological damage, liver damage, pancreas and kidney damage, heart problems, strokes, cancer, coma, toxic psychosis and possible death.
(Ord. 936, passed 5-20-98)