People who misuse alcohol or uses illegal drugs not only put themselves at risk, they also put their families and co-workers at risk. Such people become less productive at work, but more importantly, are more likely to have an accident.
That was the overriding message of a packet of information on health and safety in the workplace that I was required to read by one of the companies I truck for part-time.
I was surprised to learn that studies indicate misuse of alcohol and illegal drug abuse are the cause of more than 50 percent all worker's compensation, and that drives up companies' cost of doing business.

Studies also reveal that alcohol and drug abusers make group health insurance claims at a rate considerably higher rate than non-abusers, which drives up business costs even more.
Much of the information I read discussed the effect drugs and alcohol have, as well as indicators of use and abuse. It was an education worth sharing.
The reason alcohol is a safety problem, according to health officials, is that it impairs a person’s alertness, judgment, coordination and reaction time, all of which are essential skills for maintaining safety. Alcohol reaches the brain almost immediately after it is consumed, producing a euphoric effect and a feeling of self-confidence.
Indicators of alcohol use include: odor of alcohol, slurred speech, difficulty with balance or coordination, staggering, loud outbursts and uncharacteristic uninhibited behavior.
Marijuana and hashish create an initial euphoria, followed by a sense of relaxation, which can produce hypnotic effects. These drugs, which can be smoked or ingested, can produce time and space distortions, as well as enhance sensory perceptions.
Indicators of marijuana/hashish use include: odor of marijuana/ hashish, uncharacteristically relaxed inhibitions, difficulty in concentration and coordination, errors in judgment and increased appetite.
Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that creates a surge of exhilaration and well being, health officials say. This is followed by a sense of increased energy and alertness, loss of stress and appetite and talkativeness. Cocaine may be inhaled, swallowed, smoked or injected.
Indicators of cocaine use include: chronic nasal problems, restlessness, anxiety, short tempers and paranoid fears.
Amphetamines, also a stimulant, produce a temporary sense of euphoria, greater energy, heightened alertness, enhanced self-confidence, reduced fatigue, sleeplessness and loss of appetite. Depending on the dosage and quality of the drugs, it may also bring auditory, visual or tactile hallucinations. Amphetamines are swallowed or injected.
Indicators of amphetamine use include irritability, suppressed appetite and inability to wind down or sleep.
Phencyclidine (PCP), often called "angel dust," is a hallucinogenic drug, developed originally as a surgical anesthetic, note health officials. However, because of its unpredictable side effects, it was taken off the market for human use.
Effects vary, depending upon how the drug was formulated, the user’s personality and psychological state and the circumstances under which the drug is taken. The effect is perception- and mood-altering, with swings from euphoria, numbness and ecstasy to anxiety, excited confused intoxication and depression. PCP can be smoked, swallowed, inhaled or injected.
Indicators of PCP use include: loss of concentration and memory, impaired reasoning, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, increased blood pressure and heart rate, panic reactions and violent behavior.
Opiates (often referred to as narcotics, which include opium and its active components codeine and morphine; heroin is a derivative of morphine) are highly additive drugs that relieve pain and induce sleep. They produce an immediate "rush" of euphoria, followed by drowsiness and decreased physical activity. Opiates are typically injected or swallowed.
Indicators of opiate use include: constricted pupils, slow breathing and apathy.
Sedative-hypnotic drugs (barbiturates, tranquilizers) slow down the body’s functions, producing calmness and relaxing muscles. These drugs produce symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication.
Indicators of sedative-hypnotic drug use include: impaired judgment, slurred speech, loss of motor coordination, apathy and depression.
The packet of a packet health and safety warned that combining drugs or mixing alcohol with drugs can be especially dangerous. Doing so can seriously impair the good judgment and physical skills needed to stay safe.