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*City of Mounds View* DOT Drug -Free Workplace Policy 2020 Version 19 A small glass of wine, a can of beer and a one and one-half ounce shot of liquor all contain about the same amount of alcohol. It takes the body about one hour to metabolize and eliminate each “drink” of alcohol. Coffee, exercise and cold showers do not speed up this process or magically produce sobriety. While individuals differ greatly, each drink on an empty stomach by an average-sized adult male may lead to an alcohol concentration of about .02. Thus, drinking more than two drinks raises a serious risk of having an alcohol concentration in excess of DOT rules, especially for people with low body weights. Any drinking while on duty or during the 4 hour s before working violates DOT rules. Cocaine Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can be inhaled up the nose, injected or smoked. It greatly increases heart rate and blood pressure. Partly because of its effects on the circulatory system, cocaine use ca n lead to seizures. Every time cocaine is used, there is some unquantifiable risk of a fatal stroke or heart attack. Cocaine can also cause tremors, convulsions, vomiting and raises body temperature to dangerous levels. Repeated snorting damages nasal tissues, sometimes permanently. Needle use carries risks of infection and overdose. Initially, cocaine use brings a rush of euphoria and exaggerated overconfidence. Sometimes these effects are so strong that safe driving is impossible. Cocaine wears off in about an hour after it is snorted and in just a few minutes after it is smoked. When it wears off, the user may become depressed, anxious, paranoid and exhausted. Cocaine users may exhibit rapid mood swings and changes in activity level. They may gr ind their teeth, repeatedly wash their hands or engage in other compulsive behaviors. Amphetamines Amphetamines, also known as “speed,” are powerful stimulants that are often abused by truck drivers because they make it easy to stay awake. Amphetamines, however, are dangerous drugs with a high potential for abuse. Amphetamines may also be known as uppers, black beauties, white crosses or dexies. Use brings feelings of alertness and a loss in appetite. The user may also become very talkative or physically active or feel very strong after ingesting amphetamines. In a few hours however, the amphetamines wear off and restlessness, anxiety, paranoia and headaches set in. In large doses, amphetamines can produce serious toxic effects. The user’s blood pressure can rise to the point where strokes or heart attacks occur. Long -term users often have acne, tooth problems and may exhibit symptoms of permanent brain damage. Marijuana Marijuana is a hallucinogen that alters the user’s sense of time and reduces the user’s ability to perform tasks requiring coordination, swift reactions and concentration. Taken in large quantities, marijuana can act like a depressant. While some people may regard marijuana as harmless, there is evidence its use is unhealthy and dangerous for the driver. Marijuana causes significant increases in blood pressure and pulse rate and, thus, can aggravate or cause heart disease. Marijuana smoke also contains a number of known carcinogens. Many experts believe that marijuana is actually unhealthier to smoke than tobacco. Studies have shown that smoking marijuana affects the ability to perform tasks like driving, which require both thinking and motor skills, for at least 24 hours. Users, however, often believe that all the impairing effects of smoking have worn off after 4 to 6 hours. Marijuana significantly impairs short- term memory and can harm the user’s ability to concentrate or plan for and achieve long -term goals. There is also significant evidence that marijuana harms the reproductive systems of men and women and is dangerous for children and non-smokers who live with the user.