OTC Drug Abuse at Work – Employer Issues
OTC Drug Abuse at Work Employer Issues
OTC Drug Abuse at Work Employer Issues
OTC (Over The Counter) drug abuse is just as real and just as serious an issue as alcohol and drug abuse at work. This is a particularly difficult situation in terms of administration ofdrug testing for employees, because the abuse is sometimes quite innocent, but still dangerous to the health of those affected.
Some prescriptive medications may provide a False Positive result. For example, some employees' may be self medicating with Codeine. Codeine can produce a False Positive result for Morphine, because they're related opiates. Our bodies metabolise Codeine to Morphine. The Codeine usage maybe based on common cold medications and some pain relief products. Employees continually testing positive to Morphine as a result of Codeine, which is considered injurious to their overall health, should be encouraged to seek professional medical advice. Employers' need to be aware of over self medication byb employees'
Other medications like ephedrine and natural ephedra, a herbal supplement, also used for colds, can produce False Positive results for "speed", aka Ecstasy, and related drugs. This result can affect drug and alcohol screening, using up resources and time unnecessarily. There may also be medical issues related to the use of ephedrine-related medications, depending on usage patterns.
Another common form of medication, the well known "drowsy" medications used for treatment of common complaints, are also potentially extremely hazardous in the workplace. These medications can be seriously dangerous in cases of operation of heavy machinery, workbench equipment, and other tools.
Loss of concentration is potentially lethal in these situations. Serious injuries and fatalities have been known. Other incidents include people literally falling asleep on the job, not a very reassuring side effect.
While the use of these medications is not illegal, their use in the workplace is extremely undesirable. The most appropriate response for management is to take a balanced remedial approach:
Suggesting other medical options
Clarifying risks to staff
Putting in place a policy banning usage of these medications on the job
It's advisable to avoid a "punitive" response to all incidents. Workplace Drug Policy should be aligned to assist in the management of risk and ensuring a safe and healthy workplace. This helps meet the requirements of the OH and S Law.
In Australiadrug testing at work is conducted for the types of substances covered in the Australian Standard 4308/2008, including:
Amphetamine related substances.
Benzodiazepines (sedative, psychoactive drugs used for anxiety, insomnia and related conditions.)
Cannabis metabolites.
Cocaine metabolites.
Opiates
The effects of these substances are debilitating, in some cases drastically reducing concentration. They can be particularly dangerous in the workplace as a result of inhibiting the user's cognition. The risk factor is unacceptable in any workplace environment.
Actual abuse of over the counter drugs is relatively common in some areas of the workforce, notably the younger demographic. While the abuse is unacceptable, employers should note that it's also based on ignorance. Over the counter drugs can produce serious medical issues over time, including liver and kidney damage. The most effective approach is a clear statement of policies regarding over the counter medications, combined with credible information regarding the risks of abuse.
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