Dfsp 1hr. emp refresher 2016 revised
•
1 like•274 views
This document provides an overview of an employee drug-free safety program training. It begins by asking employees questions to assess their existing knowledge about drugs and alcohol. It then defines key terms like abuse, addiction, and dependence. The document outlines several commonly abused drugs like cocaine, marijuana, opioids, amphetamines, and alcohol and their physical effects. It discusses why employers need a drug-free workplace policy due to costs of substance use. Finally, it mentions that many employers conduct drug testing programs.
Recommended
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Similar to Dfsp 1hr. emp refresher 2016 revised
Similar to Dfsp 1hr. emp refresher 2016 revised (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
Dfsp 1hr. emp refresher 2016 revised
- 1. Drug-Free Safety Program Employee Training 2016 Moore Counseling and Mediation Services (216) 404-1900 (866) 340-6267
- 2. What do you already know? What do you already know about drugs and alcohol?
- 3. What do you already know? How many employees out of every 10 are using or abusing drugs? • A. 4 out of 10 • B. 2 out of 10 • C. 6 out of 10
- 4. What do you already know? Answer: 2 out of 10
- 5. What do you already know? Which drug is considered the gateway drug and why? MARIJUANA NICOTINE HEROIN
- 6. What do you already know? ANSWER: Marijuana, also known as cannabis or weed, is the most commonly used and abused illicit drug, and can cause the user to experiment with other illicit drugs. Gateway drug is……………………… MARIJUANA
- 7. What do you already know? How long does it take for one 6ounce glass of wine or beer to leave the system?
- 8. What do you already know? ANSWER: A healthy liver metabolizes in one hour. *Size and weight of a person can factor in how fast body metabolizes.
- 9. Which Drug is a Central Nervous System Stimulant? Alcohol Marijuana Cocaine
- 10. Which Drug is a Stimulant? ANSWER: Cocaine
- 11. Bravo!
- 12. What is a Drug-Free Safety Program? A drug free safety program’s primary goal is to have a work environment that protects the health and safety of the all employees.
- 13. Benefits The Drug Free Safety Program (DFSP) is BWC's safety/loss prevention program. DFSP programs are designed to reduce the risk of workplace accidents and injuries attributed to use of alcohol and other drugs. The DFSP can help employers achieve both long-range safety and cost-saving benefits.
- 14. So What’s the Big Deal? According to the Department of Labor: Drug & alcohol use is pretty common … statistics show:
- 15. So What’s the Big Deal? Substance use is a national problem that is also a workplace issue. According to the Department of Labor: More than 14 percent of Americans employed full- and part-time report heavy drinking, which is defined as five or more drinks on five or more days in the past 30 days. The heaviest drinking occurred among persons between the ages of 18 and 25. Drug-using employees are 2 times more likely to request early dismissal or time off, 2.5 times more likely to have absences of eight days or more, three times more likely to be late for work (NIDA)
- 16. So What’s the Big Deal? Substance use is a national problem that is also a workplace issue. According to the Center for Disease Control: 6 Americans die from alcohol poisoning each day. The death rate is highest among men 45-54. Alcohol poisoning deaths are concentrated among middle aged adults. 22 million Americans engage in binge drinking Binge drinking (women 4 or more, men 5 or more) can result in death. 2,221 Americans died in 2010-2012 from Binge Drinking.
- 17. So What’s the Big Deal? According to the Department of Labor: Drug & alcohol use is pretty common … statistics show. Annual cost to employers of on-the-job substance use is estimated to be one hundred billion dollars!!! $100,000,000,000 Due to lost productivity, theft, accidents and additional health care costs.
- 18. So What’s the Big Deal? According to the Department of Labor: Drug & alcohol use is pretty common … statistics show. Of all workplace drug users, 52% are daily users 12 million Americans use marijuana 1.7 million Americans use cocaine Employees who test positive for drugs are 60% more likely to be responsible for accidents, use more sick time and have more unexcused absences
- 19. Impact of Drug Abuse on Safety Accidents — Users are three to four times more likely to have an accident on the job, and five times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim Medical claims — Substance users file 300 percent to 400 percent more costly medical claims
- 20. Why do you need a Drug Free Workplace policy? Productivity — Substance users are 33 percent to 50 percent less productive Employee theft — An estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of all pilferage, theft and loss is due to substance-using employees
- 21. Benefits of a Drug Free Workplace Promotes wellness Ensure employees are aware of dangers Preserve investor or shareholder interest Increase employee moral, motivation and productivity Result in better customer services
- 22. Impact of Drug Abuse on Safety • Absenteeism — Users are absent an average of three weeks or more per year and are tardy three times more often than non-users
- 23. Drug Abuse is defined as . . . Patterns of using that give rise to health problems, marital, social, financial, legal or any other area of life.
- 24. What is Abuse ? Abuse: Using a substance to modify or control mood or state of mind in a manner that is illegal or harmful to oneself or others. Potential consequences of abuse include: Accidents or injuries Blackouts Legal problems Poor job performance Family problems Sexual behavior that increases the risk of HIV infection
- 25. What is Abuse ? A pattern of use that leads to failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, at home, or at school; Repeated use in situations that are physically hazardous – like drinking and driving; When a person has recurrent legal problems such as arrest for disorderly conduct; If a person continues to use despite having ongoing issues with social, work and/or interpersonal problems; caused or made worse by the effects of the substance. This includes arguments or physical fights with a spouse, friend or co-worker.
- 26. Drug Dependence is defined as . . . A disease that is characterized by abnormal seeking and consumption of drugs that leads to a lack of control over using the drug.
- 27. What is Addiction ? Addiction / Dependence? May include any or all of the components of ABUSE, but differ from abuse in several fundamental ways. Increase in tolerance – a need for greater amounts to get desired effect. Can also be the withdrawal syndrome -a cluster of physical and psychological symptoms following a reduction or cessation. The cardinal features for dependence are: 1. Compulsion – the inability to refrain from use. 2. Loss of control over the substance (can’t quit). 3. Continued use no matter what the consequences
- 28. What is Addiction? The irresistible compulsion to use alcohol and other drugs despite adverse consequences. It is characterized by repeated failures to control use, increased tolerance and increased disruption in the family. “A pathological relationship with any mood altering situation (substance) that has life damaging consequences.” - Bradshaw
- 29. Getting Sober is. . . Easier said than done! Your brain may tell you that you need to quit doing drugs, but it’s also your brain that’s going to make achieving sobriety so difficult
- 30. The Drugs
- 31. Commonly Abused Drugs COCAINE Street Names: Coke, Crack, C, Candy, Blow, Britney, Flake, Powder, Rock, Snow, Nose candy,
- 32. Physical Effects of Cocaine Cocaine can constrict blood vessels , dilates pupils, increase body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. It can also cause headaches and gastrointestinal complications. Restlessness, anxiety, panic, paranoia. Tremors, vertigo and muscle tremors. Seizure, coma, death can occur on first use.
- 33. Commonly Abused Drugs CANNABINOIDS/Marijuana Street Names: Marijuana, THC Chronic, Cush, Pot, Hydro, Joint, Wet, Weed, Brownies, Blunt, Trees, Dope, Hydro
- 34. How is Marijuana Abused? Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette (joint) or in a pipe. It is also smoked in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco. Blunts allow for marijuana's active ingredients with nicotine and other harmful chemicals. Marijuana can also be mixed in food or brewed as a tea. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, usually sweet-and-sour odor.
- 35. Effects on Daily Life Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems worse. Several studies associate workers' marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, and job turnover.
- 36. Commonly Abused Drugs Physical Effects Canabinoid Common Symptoms: Impaired Memory Animated behavior Bloodshot eyes Lack of coordination Loud talking Euphoria (relaxation) Hallucinations May cause cancer
- 37. Commonly Abused Drugs OPIATES Street Names: Opium Heroin Fentanyl Codeine Oxycodone Hydrocodone Morphine China
- 39. Heroin Heroin is an opiate drug that is synthesized from morphine. A bag contains 100mg of powder, only a portion of that is heroin. Pure heroin is a white powder with a bitter taste. Today, heroin is more pure (95%) making it more addictive and more deadly.
- 40. Abuse of Heroin Heroin can be injected, snorted/sniffed, or smoked —routes of administration that rapidly deliver the drug to the brain. Heroin abuse is associated with serious health conditions, including fatal overdose, spontaneous abortion, and—particularly in users who inject the drug—infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Mixing heroin, pain meds, cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol, or benzos can result in lethal overdose.
- 41. How Are Opioids Abused? Opioids can be taken orally, or the pills may be crushed and the powder snorted or injected. Overdose deaths have resulted from slow-release Oxycontin when injected. Injection and snorting allows for rapid release into the bloodstream and is too difficult to counteract potential overdose.
- 42. Commonly Abused Drugs AMPHETAMINES Street Names: Uppers, Speed Meth, Crank, Crystal Rippers, Dexies Black Beauties Oranges Snap Truck Driver White Cross Bath Salts
- 43. Commonly Abused Drugs Physical Effects Amphetamines Common Symptoms: Loss of Appetite Anxiety Irritability Rapid Speech Hand Tremors Mood Elevation
- 44. Amphetamines – How it works In the “fight or flight” response to stress, the adrenal glands, produce the hormone adrenaline, making a person feel stimulated and ready to either fight or run. Amphetamines are chemically similar to adrenaline. They are used for alertness, excitation, euphoria, and to suppress appetite.
- 45. Amphetamines – Uses Many stimulant drugs have a calming affect in children and adults who suffer from ADD or ADHD if taken in small doses. In children, amphetamines can help focus attention and control hyperactivity.
- 46. Amphetamines Dangers Over the course of time and abusers of amphetamines will develop tolerance, and have to use increasing amounts to try to bring about the same effects. Over the Rainbow Judy Garland was taking 40 Ritalin tabs a day in 1968. The Wizard of Oz star died of a drug overdose on June 15, 1969.
- 47. Methamphetamine Chemicals are extracted from each of those products in order to produce methamphetamine.
- 49. Faces of Meth
- 50. Faces of Meth
- 51. Faces of Meth
- 52. “Meth Mouth”
- 54. Commonly Abused Drugs PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP) Street Names: PCP Angel Dust Rocket fuel Super grass Killer weed Devil Stick Embalming fluid
- 55. Commonly Abused Drugs PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP) Common Symptoms: Decreased heart rate, Decreased blood pressure, Flushed skin Numbness Disorientation Convulsions Coma
- 56. Commonly Abused Drugs BARBITURATES Street Names: Downers, Dolls, Reds, Tuinal, Rainbows, Yellows, Blues, Goofballs, M&M”s, Red Devils, Barbs
- 57. Commonly Abused Drugs BARBITURATES Common Symptoms: Depression Decreased alertness Slurred speech Drowsiness Confusion Deep sleep
- 58. Commonly Abused Drugs BENZODIAZEPINES Street Names: Valium Librium Downers Tranqs
- 59. Commonly Abused Drugs BENZODIAZEPINES Common Symptoms: slurred Speech disorientation drunken behavior (without alcohol odor)
- 60. Commonly Abused Drugs ECSTASY Street Names: X XTC E Molly Club Hug The Love Drug
- 61. MDMA/Ecstasy MDMA is classified as a "club drug." In the past few years, however, MDMA abuse has spread to a wide range of other settings and demographic subgroups. Despite growing evidence of its potential harmful effects, MDMA still has a deceptive reputation as a "safe" drug among its abusers.
- 62. MDMA/Ecstasy MDMA significantly impairs: memory and information processing interfere with performing skilled activities, such as driving a car moderate exposure to the drug, many MDMA abusers report: nausea, confusion, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, sleep difficulties, panic attacks and depression.
- 63. Commonly Abused Drugs Physical Effects Ecstasy Common Symptoms: inability to sleep low appetite high blood pressure fainting nausea hallucinations blurred vision sweating
- 64. Commonly Abused Drugs ALCOHOL Street Names: Brew Booze Drink Juice Moonshine Toddy Liquid courage
- 65. Effects Alcohol Physical Common Symptoms: slurred speech disorientation Damage the heart High blood pressure, Heart rate and body temp. Nausea, sweating, shaking Major mouth problems Blackouts
- 66. Effects Alcohol Physical Alcohol Poisoning (AP): • 6 Americans die each day • Death Rate highest among men 45-54 • Middle age adults • Binge Drinking can result in death • Areas of brain shuts down
- 67. Over The Counter Medications That May be Abused Many over the counter and prescription medications contain alcohol and/or other ingredients that can be addictive: Antihistamines: (Benadryl, Actifed, Coricidin, Dimetapp, Excedrin PM, Sleepeze Sinutab) Combinations: Cough medicines which usually contain alcohol with antihistamines (Nyquil, Vicks) Weight Control Tablets which contain amphetamines and usually a sedative or tranquilizer (Dexatrim)
- 68. Over The Counter Medications That May be Abused Many over the counter and prescription medications contain alcohol and or other ingredients that can be addictive. Mouth Wash which contains alcohol. Inhalants: Neosynephrine nose spray and drops. Vitamin Elixers: Read the labels! Some contain high concentration of alcohol.
- 69. Testing Program MANY EMPLOYERS TEST FOR THE FOLLOWING DRUGS: Cocaine (and its derivatives, including crack cocaine) Cannabinoids (THC/marijuana, hash) Opiates (heroin, codeine, etc.) Amphetamines (central nervous system stimulants) Phencyclidine (PCP) Barbiturates (central nervous system depressants) Propoxyphene (Darvon) Methadone Benzodiazepine (Valium, Librium, etc.) Methaqualone Ecstasy Alcohol
- 70. When Would I be Tested? Pre-Employment / New Hire Reasonable Suspicion / Observed Behavior Post Accident Return to Duty Follow Up Random (subject to policy) Promotion (optional)
- 71. Reasonable Suspicion Reasonable Suspicion: • Observed behavior (direct observation of drug or alcohol use) • A pattern of abnormal conduct (frequent absenteeism, excessive tardiness) • Repeated violations of the company’s safety or work rules
- 72. Types of Test Reasonable suspicion – If the employer has reasonable cause to believe that an employee is impaired by drugs or alcohol while on Company premises or while working.
- 73. Common Questionable Behaviors The following is a list of some common suspicious behaviors you may see in a substance user (this list is not all inclusive): Excessive absences / tardiness Pattern of being absent on or after payday Employee verbalizes multiple family or personal issues as the cause for excessive absence or tardiness Problems staying awake on the job Consistently having problems completing job responsibilities
- 74. Common Questionable Behaviors Continued Pattern of borrowing money from co-workers Change in appearance Unexplained crying spells Taking extra smoke or bathroom breaks Unusual isolation from peers Problems concentrating Odor of Alcohol or Marijuana Wearing sunglasses Slurred speech Prolonged lunch hours
- 75. Types of Tests Post Accident- Any employee involved in an accident resulting in: Fatality Bodily injury requiring medical attention off-site Vehicular damage in apparent excess of chosen dollar amount Non-vehicular damage in apparent excess of chosen dollar amount If medical treatment is sought after work hours or on the weekend, a drug test must be taken immediately upon employer notification of the injury
- 76. Types of Tests Return to Duty or Follow up Testing – Employees who have previously tested positive and entered a rehabilitation program. Must have a negative test prior to returning to work. Subject to randoms for a period following return to work.
- 77. Types of Tests • Random- An unannounced test that occurs at a pre- determined frequency among randomly selected employees. This includes equal probability of selection each time testing occurs. Unannounced test of all employees, or all those in a classified group (i.e. safety sensitive).
- 78. What happens if I test positive? EAP Services (Employee Assistance Program) A certified or licensed clinician will complete an assessment. If treatment is recommended, the EAP assessor will make the appropriate referral.
- 79. What happens if I test positive? All recommendations must be adhered to as outlined by the assessor and the treatment agency.
- 80. EAP Services Return to duty or fitness for duty will be determined by the assessor or treatment counselor / facility. Must have a negative drug test before returning to work.
- 81. Where Can I Get Help? Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if available. Your Human Resource or EAP Program Manager. Voluntary request help of Supervisor / Manager.
- 82. QUESTIONS?
- 83. Thank you for attending! Presented by: Rochelle Keith, MSSA, LSW, CEAP, SAP, AACC
Editor's Notes
- This slide illustrates what we do and do not know about these synthetic drugs. Unlike the drugs we are more familiar with, such as heroin or cocaine, these synthetic drugs have only appeared in the last few years and because they are constantly changing, our knowledge of them is not as comprehensive as we would like. Unlike other drugs, which have been subjected to years of toxicological and pharmaceutical testing and numerous clinical trials and research on the users, what we know about synthetic drugs is often based on newspaper stories, pro-drug websites, and “street” information from users or from individuals who really do not know the facts. The newspaper story here is a good example of the problems in trying to understand strange behaviors when we may not even know what actual drug has been used. As an example, in June 2010, NIDA’s Community Epidemiology Work Group, which is composed of 22 members from across the U.S. who meet twice per year to report on recent drug trends, focused on “mephedrone,” a term people were using to describe synthetic cathinones. The first article in the U.S. that reported the results of analysis using GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) came out nearly a year later in May 2011 (Spiller et al.), and the results were not mephedrone, but were MDPV. SOURCES: The Real Victims of the Zombie Bath Salt Apocalypse, By Nick Carbone, July 5, 2012 (Time Magazine NewsFeed)http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/05/the-real-victims-of-the-zombie-bath-salt-apocalypse/#ixzz26l6yEucQ “It’s become a nearly unquestioned assumption in the annals of bizarre, violent crime: the weirder and more inhuman the assault, the more likely the perpetrator is to have been abusing the synthetic drug known as “bath salts”. Chew a guy’s face off? Bath salts! Throw your intestines at police? Bath salts! Bite a random stranger? Bath Salts! But as it turns out, this hastily slapped-together hypothesis has more than a few holes. For one thing, the case that kicked off the whole zombie cannibal bath salt hysteria — in which 31-year-old Rudy Eugene chowed down on the face of homeless Miami man Ronald Poppo — turned out to be completely unrelated to the drug. Eugene was listed as having only marijuana in his system when he was killed by police after refusing to stop chewing on Poppo’s face.” “The Cannabis Cannibal? Miami Face-Eater Didn’t Take ‘Bath Salts’”, available at: http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/27/the-cannabis-cannibal-miami-face-eater-didnt-take-bath-salts/ “The Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office said it sought the help of an outside forensic toxicology lab, which has confirmed the absence of “bath salts,” synthetic marijuana and LSD…The ME’s office said that within the limits of current technology by both laboratories, marijuana was the only drug found in Eugene’s system.” Spiller, H.A., Ryan, M.L., Weston, R.G., & Jansen, J. (2011). Clinical experience with and analytical confirmation of “bath salts” and “legal highs” (synthetic cathinones) in the United States. Clinical Toxicology, 49, 499-505.
- This slide illustrates what we do and do not know about these synthetic drugs. Unlike the drugs we are more familiar with, such as heroin or cocaine, these synthetic drugs have only appeared in the last few years and because they are constantly changing, our knowledge of them is not as comprehensive as we would like. Unlike other drugs, which have been subjected to years of toxicological and pharmaceutical testing and numerous clinical trials and research on the users, what we know about synthetic drugs is often based on newspaper stories, pro-drug websites, and “street” information from users or from individuals who really do not know the facts. The newspaper story here is a good example of the problems in trying to understand strange behaviors when we may not even know what actual drug has been used. As an example, in June 2010, NIDA’s Community Epidemiology Work Group, which is composed of 22 members from across the U.S. who meet twice per year to report on recent drug trends, focused on “mephedrone,” a term people were using to describe synthetic cathinones. The first article in the U.S. that reported the results of analysis using GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) came out nearly a year later in May 2011 (Spiller et al.), and the results were not mephedrone, but were MDPV. SOURCES: The Real Victims of the Zombie Bath Salt Apocalypse, By Nick Carbone, July 5, 2012 (Time Magazine NewsFeed)http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/05/the-real-victims-of-the-zombie-bath-salt-apocalypse/#ixzz26l6yEucQ “It’s become a nearly unquestioned assumption in the annals of bizarre, violent crime: the weirder and more inhuman the assault, the more likely the perpetrator is to have been abusing the synthetic drug known as “bath salts”. Chew a guy’s face off? Bath salts! Throw your intestines at police? Bath salts! Bite a random stranger? Bath Salts! But as it turns out, this hastily slapped-together hypothesis has more than a few holes. For one thing, the case that kicked off the whole zombie cannibal bath salt hysteria — in which 31-year-old Rudy Eugene chowed down on the face of homeless Miami man Ronald Poppo — turned out to be completely unrelated to the drug. Eugene was listed as having only marijuana in his system when he was killed by police after refusing to stop chewing on Poppo’s face.” “The Cannabis Cannibal? Miami Face-Eater Didn’t Take ‘Bath Salts’”, available at: http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/27/the-cannabis-cannibal-miami-face-eater-didnt-take-bath-salts/ “The Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office said it sought the help of an outside forensic toxicology lab, which has confirmed the absence of “bath salts,” synthetic marijuana and LSD…The ME’s office said that within the limits of current technology by both laboratories, marijuana was the only drug found in Eugene’s system.” Spiller, H.A., Ryan, M.L., Weston, R.G., & Jansen, J. (2011). Clinical experience with and analytical confirmation of “bath salts” and “legal highs” (synthetic cathinones) in the United States. Clinical Toxicology, 49, 499-505.
- This slide illustrates what we do and do not know about these synthetic drugs. Unlike the drugs we are more familiar with, such as heroin or cocaine, these synthetic drugs have only appeared in the last few years and because they are constantly changing, our knowledge of them is not as comprehensive as we would like. Unlike other drugs, which have been subjected to years of toxicological and pharmaceutical testing and numerous clinical trials and research on the users, what we know about synthetic drugs is often based on newspaper stories, pro-drug websites, and “street” information from users or from individuals who really do not know the facts. The newspaper story here is a good example of the problems in trying to understand strange behaviors when we may not even know what actual drug has been used. As an example, in June 2010, NIDA’s Community Epidemiology Work Group, which is composed of 22 members from across the U.S. who meet twice per year to report on recent drug trends, focused on “mephedrone,” a term people were using to describe synthetic cathinones. The first article in the U.S. that reported the results of analysis using GC/MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry) came out nearly a year later in May 2011 (Spiller et al.), and the results were not mephedrone, but were MDPV. SOURCES: The Real Victims of the Zombie Bath Salt Apocalypse, By Nick Carbone, July 5, 2012 (Time Magazine NewsFeed)http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/05/the-real-victims-of-the-zombie-bath-salt-apocalypse/#ixzz26l6yEucQ “It’s become a nearly unquestioned assumption in the annals of bizarre, violent crime: the weirder and more inhuman the assault, the more likely the perpetrator is to have been abusing the synthetic drug known as “bath salts”. Chew a guy’s face off? Bath salts! Throw your intestines at police? Bath salts! Bite a random stranger? Bath Salts! But as it turns out, this hastily slapped-together hypothesis has more than a few holes. For one thing, the case that kicked off the whole zombie cannibal bath salt hysteria — in which 31-year-old Rudy Eugene chowed down on the face of homeless Miami man Ronald Poppo — turned out to be completely unrelated to the drug. Eugene was listed as having only marijuana in his system when he was killed by police after refusing to stop chewing on Poppo’s face.” “The Cannabis Cannibal? Miami Face-Eater Didn’t Take ‘Bath Salts’”, available at: http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/27/the-cannabis-cannibal-miami-face-eater-didnt-take-bath-salts/ “The Miami-Dade medical examiner’s office said it sought the help of an outside forensic toxicology lab, which has confirmed the absence of “bath salts,” synthetic marijuana and LSD…The ME’s office said that within the limits of current technology by both laboratories, marijuana was the only drug found in Eugene’s system.” Spiller, H.A., Ryan, M.L., Weston, R.G., & Jansen, J. (2011). Clinical experience with and analytical confirmation of “bath salts” and “legal highs” (synthetic cathinones) in the United States. Clinical Toxicology, 49, 499-505.
- Synthetic cathinones known as Bath Salts are one of the latest additions to a growing list of substances young people can use to get high. Bath Salts is a powder laced with a cocktail of chemicals that comes in either capsules or in loose form. A user can either swallow the capsule whole or use the powder, mixed with liquid, and injected. Sometimes it is snorted directly up the nose. It is said to replicate a cocaine or ecstasy high (1). Synthetic cathinones are related to the parent compound cathinone, one of the psychoactive principals in khat. The synthetic powder is sold legally online and in drug paraphernalia stores under a variety of names, such as Ivory Wave, Purple Wave, Red Dove, Blue Silk, Zoom, Bloom, Cloud Nine, Ocean Snow, Lunar Wave, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning, Scarface, and Hurricane Charlie. Because these products are relatively new to the drug abuse scene, knowledge about their precise chemical composition and short- and long-term effects is limited, yet the known information warrants a proactive stance to understand and minimize any potential dangers to the public’s health. These products often contain various amphetamine-like chemicals, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MPDV), mephedrone and pyrovalerone. These drugs are typically administered orally, by inhalation, or by injection, with the worst outcomes apparently associated with snorting or intravenous administration. Mephedrone is of particular concern because, according to the United Kingdom experience, it presents a high risk for overdose. These chemicals act in the brain like stimulant drugs (indeed they are sometimes touted as cocaine substitutes); thus they present a high abuse and addiction liability. Consistent with this notion, these products have been reported to trigger intense cravings not unlike those experienced by methamphetamine users, and clinical reports from other countries appear to corroborate their addictiveness. They can also confer a high risk for other medical adverse effects. Some of these may be linked to the fact that, beyond their known psychoactive ingredients, the contents of "bath salts" are largely unknown, which makes the practice of abusing them, by any route, that much more dangerous (2). Additional Information for the Trainer(s) The list of synthetic cathinones is long: butylone, dimethylcathinone, ethcathinone, ethylone, 3- and 4- flouromethcathinone, methadone, mephedrone, methlenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methylone and pyrovalerone, among others. Bupropion is the only cathinone derivative that has a medical indication in the U.S. and Europe. The first synthetic cathinone, methcathinone, was produced in 1928. REFERENCES: (1) Wood, D.M. & Dargan, P.I. (2012). Use and acute toxicity associated with the novel psychoactive substances diphenylprolinol (D2PM) and desoxypipradrol (2-DPMP). Clinical Toxicology, 50, 727-732. (2) Volkow, N. (2011). Message from the Director: “Bath Salts” – Emerging and Dangerous Products. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse.
- This slide summarizes the dilemma we are faced with because these drugs have many different “names” that are given to mask the fact they are chemical substances that have been created to produce some sort of a “high.” Although the chemical composition of some of them is known, the rogue chemists producing them are constantly changing the formulations so they can stay ahead of the latest federal and state legal definitions and laws to avoid prosecution. Synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense products were first detected in the United States in November 2008, by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) forensic laboratory. These products were first encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Spice and Bath Salts are advertised as being “all natural,” safe to use, and legal but, in fact, they are none of those things. The packages often say “not for human consumption,” “for novelty use,” or “use as directed” (but without any directions for use on the package). The colorful and professional packaging and wording often changes as the laws are amended. In some jurisdictions, depending on how the laws are written, the prosecutor must prove the person intended to use the product (not just possess it), which makes it even more difficult to reduce availability of these substances.
- Manufacturers of Spice products attempt to evade legal restrictions by substituting different chemicals in their mixtures. The DEA continues to monitor the situation and evaluate the need for updating the list of banned cannabinoids. The five banned active chemicals are JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47, 497, and CP-47, 497-C8. Most states have also banned the products, but the list of banned substances varies by state and the states keep revising the lists to try to control new products that are developed to get around the current laws. Toxicology laboratories are developing tests for these drugs, but as of September 2012, only 17 of all the synthetic cannabis variations can be identified in urine tests developed by one lab and most of the blood and oral fluid tests only identify 12.
- Many factors are associated with the recent popularity of Spice products, especially among younger users. Spice smokers find the effects similar to those of marijuana; Spice is often referred to as a “legal high;” regulatory mechanisms are difficult to enforce when products are available on the Internet; and Spice is marketed as a natural herb and intuitive language on packaging makes it attractive to young and drug-naïve individuals.
- Spice, sometimes known as an “herbal marijuana alternative,” looks like plant material or potpourri and is similarly coated in chemicals that mimic the effects of marijuana when it is smoked or steeped for a hot drink. These synthetic drugs are attractive to users because the chemicals used to create them defy detection in traditional drug tests. Labels on Spice products often claim that they contain “natural” psychoactive material taken from a variety of plants. Spice products do contain dried plant material, but chemical analyses show that their active ingredients are synthetic (or designer) cannabinoid compounds. Spice and K2 is known by a variety of brand names, including: Zohai, Genie, K3, Bliss, Nice, Black Mamba, Incense, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Smoke, ChillX, Highdi’s Almdröhner, Sence, Earth Impact, Gorillaz, Galaxy Gold, Space Truckin, Solar Flare, Moon Rocks, Blue Lotus, Aroma, Scope, Sky, OG, Potpourri, Bombay Blue, and even fake weed. Spice is sold in colorful three-ounce plastic pouches decorated with psychedelic designs. Experts point out that due to the variation in chemical additives used in Spice, K2, and other synthetics, users don’t know exactly what they’re getting in each packet and the effects can therefore be unpredictable. (SOURCE: Logan et al., 2012, Journal of Forensic Sciences). According to the U.S. Drug Testing Laboratories (2011), over 250 synthetic cannabis compounds have been identified to date. SOURCE: Logan, B.K., Reinhold, L.E., Xu, A., Diamond, F.X. (2012). Identification of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense blends in the United States. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57(5), 1168-1180. (Photo courtesy of NIDA, April 2012) Note to Trainer(s) regarding terminology used in this presentation: As the authors were working to pull together the content for this presentation (August-September 2012), some of the most recent references use the term “synthetic cannabimimetic” in lieu of synthetic cannabinoid. This very recent shift in the language used to describe this specific class of synthetic drugs highlights the rapidly evolving information on the use of synthetic drugs in the United States and beyond. For consistency sake, the authors made the decision to use the term synthetic cannabinoid when referring to synthetic marijuana/cannabis.
- Many factors are associated with the recent popularity of Spice products, especially among younger users. Spice smokers find the effects similar to those of marijuana; Spice is often referred to as a “legal high;” regulatory mechanisms are difficult to enforce when products are available on the Internet; and Spice is marketed as a natural herb and intuitive language on packaging makes it attractive to young and drug-naïve individuals.
- Many factors are associated with the recent popularity of Spice products, especially among younger users. Spice smokers find the effects similar to those of marijuana; Spice is often referred to as a “legal high;” regulatory mechanisms are difficult to enforce when products are available on the Internet; and Spice is marketed as a natural herb and intuitive language on packaging makes it attractive to young and drug-naïve individuals.
- Many factors are associated with the recent popularity of Spice products, especially among younger users. Spice smokers find the effects similar to those of marijuana; Spice is often referred to as a “legal high;” regulatory mechanisms are difficult to enforce when products are available on the Internet; and Spice is marketed as a natural herb and intuitive language on packaging makes it attractive to young and drug-naïve individuals.