Is your co-worker a drug user? An employee’s drug problem may cause physical, behavioral and performance problems that affect not only the user but also his/her superiors, peers and the entire organization.
Dr. Socorro Cruz-Yañes of the National Reference Laboratory based at East Avenue Medical Center lists some indicators for “reasonable suspicion” of drug use by an employee. She categorized these indicators into performance, behavioral, physical and presence of paraphernalia.
Performance Indicators • Excessive absenteeism, tardiness
• Lower productivity, poor morale
• Missed deadlines
• Deteriorating work quality
• Increase accidents, mistakes, equipment breakdowns
• Multiple reports of theft
Behavioral Indicators • Explosive arguments, disagreements over small matters
• Changes in attitudes, work behavior
• Frequent hang-over symptoms
• Using drug culture jargon
• Secretive, forgetfulness, indecision
• Avoiding “straight” co-workers
• Hyper-reactivity, constant toe or heel tapping, finger drumming
• Easy excitability
• Restlessness, anxiety
• Wearing long sleeves
• New financial problems and frequent borrowing of money
Physical Indicators • Skin bruises, needle puncture marks
• Blood shot, watery eyes
• Running, irritated nose, irritating cough, sore throat
• Slurred speech, tremors, jitters
• Poor coordination
• Dilated or pin point pupils
Paraphernalia Indicators Possession of :
• Hypodermic needles
• Balloons
• Aluminum foil wrappers
• Flat metals, short straws
• Glass/smoking pipes
• Cigarette lighters among those who are non- smokers
Dr. Socorro Cruz-Yañes of the National Reference Laboratory based at East Avenue Medical Center lists some indicators for “reasonable suspicion” of drug use by an employee. She categorized these indicators into performance, behavioral, physical and presence of paraphernalia.
Performance Indicators
• Excessive absenteeism, tardiness
• Lower productivity, poor morale
• Missed deadlines
• Deteriorating work quality
• Increase accidents, mistakes, equipment breakdowns
• Multiple reports of theft
Behavioral Indicators
• Explosive arguments, disagreements over small matters
• Changes in attitudes, work behavior
• Frequent hang-over symptoms
• Using drug culture jargon
• Secretive, forgetfulness, indecision
• Avoiding “straight” co-workers
• Hyper-reactivity, constant toe or heel tapping, finger drumming
• Easy excitability
• Restlessness, anxiety
• Wearing long sleeves
• New financial problems and frequent borrowing of money
Physical Indicators
• Skin bruises, needle puncture marks
• Blood shot, watery eyes
• Running, irritated nose, irritating cough, sore throat
• Slurred speech, tremors, jitters
• Poor coordination
• Dilated or pin point pupils
Paraphernalia Indicators
Possession of :
• Hypodermic needles
• Balloons
• Aluminum foil wrappers
• Flat metals, short straws
• Glass/smoking pipes
• Cigarette lighters among those who are non- smokers