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<br />*City of Mounds View*
<br />DOT Drug -Free Workplace Policy 2020 Version 18
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<br />Attachment to FMCSA Drug-Free Workplace Policy
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<br />SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A DRUG-ALCOHOL PROBLEM
<br />Drugs and alcohol can result in such work-related problems as absenteeism and tardiness, lower
<br />productivity, missed deadlines, poor work quality, unsafe driving, and increased injuries and accidents.
<br />Problems relating to or communicating with supervisors, co-workers or customers, following directions,
<br />concentrating or remembering things may also indicate a drug or alcohol problem.
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<br />Drugs and alcohol slow reaction times, cause confusion, harm coordination and motor skills and can
<br />impair decision-making and memory. People misusing alcohol and using illegal drugs may be
<br />withdrawn, lethargic, depressed, erratic, “hyper” or unusually anxious, hostile or paranoid.
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<br />Drugs and alcohol misuse can also result in health problems like chronic gastritis, headaches, chronic
<br />respiratory infections and liver problems. They may also show up as poor hygiene, a sloppy
<br />appearance, financial problems, DUIs or family problems.
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<br />Evidence of use can include paraphernalia such as pipes, syringes, foil packets, pills, powders and
<br />empty alcohol containers. Physical symptoms of use can include:
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<br />⇒ Marijuana and alcohol odors
<br />⇒ Puffy or droopy eyelids, bloodshot eyes, dilated or pinpoint pupils
<br />⇒ Nosebleeds, excessive sniffling, chronic sinus problems, nasal sores
<br />⇒ Needle tracks or blood spots on clothing
<br />⇒ Tremors, racing or irregular heartbeats
<br />⇒ Slurred or incoherent speech
<br />⇒ Confusion, anxiety, paranoia
<br />⇒ Coordination problems
<br />⇒ Lethargy and sleepiness
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<br />EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
<br />Drugs and alcohol can harm health and the workplace in a variety of ways.
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<br />Alcohol
<br />Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that acts like a poison if used in large quantities. Each
<br />year the lives of tens of thousands of Americans are shortened or ended by alcohol misuse.
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<br />Alcohol quickly reaches the brain after drinking. It impairs self -control and other learned behaviors.
<br />This loss of self-control can lead to aggressive driving (or overly cautious driving), as well as the other
<br />kinds of aggressive behaviors associated with drinking. Even small doses of alcohol, i.e. a single
<br />drink, can harm driving performance. In large doses, alcohol significantly impairs coordination,
<br />memory and judgment.
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<br />Over time, alcohol misuse damages the liver, the heart, the digestive system and can cause
<br />permanent brain damage. On average, alcoholics shorten their life span by about 10 years.
<br />Alcohol misuse harms the ability to think clearly, harms judgment and can affect the ability to get along
<br />with and work constructively with co-workers and customers. Alcoholics often have attendance and
<br />work performance problems and get fired because of the consequences of alcohol misuse. Because
<br />of its adverse effects on coordination, reflex time, vision, driving ability, judgment and the ability to
<br />evaluate and quickly process information, alcohol is especially dangerous for drivers of commercial
<br />motor vehicles.
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