Origin Diagnostics Drug Testing

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Heroin is an illegal, highly addictive, opiate drug. Its abuse is more widespread than any other opiate. Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. It is typically sold as a white or brownish powder, or as the black sticky substance known on the streets as “black tar heroin.” Although purer heroin is becoming more common, most street heroin is “cut” with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine.

Heroin is a semi-synthetic opiate derived from morphine or codeine and is the most potent of the opiates. It is typically found in white to brown powdered form and is injected, sniffed, or smoked. In the past, powders sold as illicit heroin typically contained only 1% to 10% of the drug.

Slang terms: “smack”, “junk”, “horse”, “skag”, “H”, “China white”

Indicated for:

Relief of extreme pain
Recreational uses:

Euphoria
Relaxation
Other uses:

Pain relief
Cough suppressant
Anti-diarrhea

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Cocaine, the most potent stimulant of natural origin, is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca), which is indigenous to the Andean highlands of South America. It is a potent brain stimulant and one of the most powerfully addictive drugs. Cocaine is produced as a white chunky powder. It is sold most often in aluminum foil, plastic or paper packets, or small vials. Cocaine is usually chopped into a fine powder with a razor blade on a small mirror or some other hard surface, arranged into small rows called “lines,” then quickly inhaled (or “snorted”) through the nose with a short straw or rolled up paper money. It can also be injected into the blood stream.

Cocaine is a potent, naturally occurring central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It is derived from the leaves of the coca plant, found primarily in various regions of South America.

There are four primary methods of ingesting cocaine. These are:

1. “Snorting” – absorbing cocaine through the mucous membranes of the nose.
2. Injecting – users mix cocaine powder with water and use a syringe to inject the solution intravenously.
3. Freebasing – Cocaine hydrochloride is converted to a “freebase” which can then be smoked.
4. Crack Cocaine – Cocaine hydrochloride is mixed with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and other ingredients, causing it to solidify into pellets or “rocks”. The crack is then smoked in glass pipes.

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Methadone mimics many of the effects of opiates such as heroin.

Methadone is one of a number of synthetic opiates (also called opioids) that are manufactured for medical use and have similar effects to heroin. These include dihydrocodeine (DF118s), pethidine (often used in childbirth), diconal, palfium and temgesic.

Methadone and subutex (buprenorphine) are used as substitutes for heroin in the treatment of heroin addiction.

Methadone mimics many of the effects of opiates such as heroin. However, there are many differences. For example, heroin produces an almost immediate “rush” or brief period of euphoria, which wears off relatively quickly, resulting in a strong craving to use more heroin. In contrast, methadone has a more gradual onset of action when administered orally. Its effects can last up to 24 hours, which allows the patient to take methadone only once a day without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Research has demonstrated that, when methadone is given in regular doses by a physician, it has the ability to block the euphoria caused by heroin if the individual does try to take heroin. Despite methadone’s role in the treatment of heroin addiction, it has addictive properties and also a high potential for abuse on the street. Methadone enters the illicit drug market primarily as a result of patients selling their prescriptions.

Methadone doesn’t deliver the same degree of buzz or high like heroin. It allows people to tackle their psychological addiction and stabilize their lifestyle when used as a substitute for heroin in treatment it stops withdrawal symptoms. Then the dose can be reduced slowly until that user is off the drug completely. When used to come off heroin there are still problems with withdrawal but there are much less severe than ‘cold turkey’ that occurs when stopping heroin.

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The cost to employers from illegal drug abuse is over $100 billion every year:

8.2% of full-time workers are current illicit drug uses
80% of drug abusers steal from their workplace
65% of all work related accidents are the direct result of substance abuse
As many as 50% of all workers’ compensation claims involve substance abuse

Employers have an obligation to provide a safe and healthy working environment. Employees who abuse drugs jeopardize the safety and well being of all employees and impact the bottom line. In these economically challenging times, it is more important than ever to prevent and reduce expenses related to substance abuse.

Each substance abuser costs an employer about $9,600 a year in:

Absenteeism
Low productivity
Loss Time From Accidents
Increased Health Care Costs
Increased Workers Compensation Costs
Loss Time Handling Confrontation/Conflicts

Regardless of which tests are done, drug testing always produces a positive return on investment:

Pre-employment drug testing can significantly improve applicant selectivity for your company. Why not avoid hiring an employee that might decrease safety, productivity and moral in your workplace, and cost you money?
Random drug testing has been shown to be a powerful deterrent to substance abuse in the workplace for existing employees. Such programs reduce accidents, improve productivity and may provide savings on workers compensation insurance premiums.
Reasonable Suspicion and Post-incident drug testing may be valuable in reducing liability in your operations. Reasonable Suspicion/ For Cause drug tests consistently produce the highest positive rates (18%).

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Let’s face it having a talk with your employees about drug use is probably the last thing you or your managers really want to deal with. Unfortunately, the wide spread use and prevalence of drug abuse make this a more common problem than you might realize. Use these quick tips to make sure your manager or supervisor is effective and compliant with the rights of the worker and employer.

1. Documentation. Objective facts matter. Use performance reviews, attendance records and other relevant documentation when discussing performance related issues.
2. Don’t Ignore it. The problem will get worse not better. Avoid potential injury or liability issues by addressing the issue before it becomes a problem.
3. Do NOT discuss Alcohol and Drug use or try to diagnose the problem. Stick to the facts even if you suspect something more. Implement the proper protocol designed to address the situation. For example, if it is standard procedure to use drug testing after any accidents then do so immediately in full compliance with established routines then wait for the test to validate or negate your concerns.
4. Never cover up or protect workers. You are enabling them, decreasing morale among other employees and putting your company at risk.
5. Limit comments and actions to those directly impacted and verified by documentations for example, attendance records, performance and productivity measures, complaints from other workers and so forth.
6. Protect employee confidentiality. Remember, the results of employee drug testing may be construed as health or medical related information and is therefore protected by law.
7. Understand the proper procedure and lines of communication outlined in your company policy and manuals. Ask questions in advance if there are areas of concern or questions you are not sure about.
8. Dont rely on memory. Document the facts as they happen and refer back to the documentation whenever communicating directly with the employee.
9. Make sure all employees are informed. Don’t single out an employee even if you suspect a problem. Instead, make sure all employees are aware of the company’s policy on substance abuse and testing as well as consequences for violations of that policy.
10. Enforce the policy. One of the strongest messages you can send is to enforce the Drug Free workplace policy consistently and fairly. It won’t take long before your business is known as a safe and drug free workplace.