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<br />*City of Mounds View* <br />DOT Drug -Free Workplace Policy 2020 Version 20 <br /> <br /> <br />Opiates <br />Opiates are a class of narcotics and sedatives derived from the opium poppy plant. Heroin is the <br />strongest opiate. Heroin use has been increasing in recent years because of the availability of cheap, <br />strong heroin from Asia. This new stronger heroin can be smoked or snorted. Heroin can also be <br />injected using needles. <br /> <br />Morphine and codeine are opiates that are often used to relieve pain or induce sleep. However, they <br />can be stolen from hospitals or pharmacies and abused. <br /> <br />Opiate misuse causes a number of health problems. Because of variations in dosages and strength, <br />heroin use carries a risk of overdose and death. Addicts who use needles also risk contracting AIDS <br />or hepatitis. Heroin is often contaminated with other drugs or toxins or combined with other narcotics. <br /> <br />Opiate use slows down and depresses a number of body functions, including brain functioning. Heroin <br />users may act sleepy or euphoric for a while and then become anxious or irritated after the heroin <br />wears off. Heroin users tend to have a number of related health problems and tend to also abuse <br />alcohol and tobacco. Together, these drugs and the unhealthy lifestyles of heroin users result in <br />decreased life expectancy. <br /> <br />PCP <br />Phencyclidine, or PCP, is also called angel dust or dust. PCP is an extremely dangerous hallucinogen <br />that has unusual and unpredictable side effects. It was developed as an anesthetic in the late 1950’s <br />and used for a while as a tranquilizer both for humans and animals. Because of its dangers, it now <br />has no legal uses and is no longer legally manufactured. Rather, PCP is manufactured in underground <br />laboratories. It often contains dangerous adulterants but is very dangerous all by itself. <br /> <br />PCP can produce violence and bizarre behavior in anyone who uses it. Occasionally, PCP users <br />attack nurses and policemen or jump out of windows because they believe they can fly. PCP somehow <br />scrambles the brain’s internal stimuli and seriously changes how users feel, see and deal with their <br />environment. <br /> <br />In low doses, PCP produces a feeling of numbness. Increased doses produce excitement, confusion <br />and delirium. The user’s body may become rigid or go into convulsions. Routine activities like driving <br />become dangerous and unpredictable. <br /> <br />Users may walk with strange uncoordinated steps. PCP users may have a blank stare, sweat heavily, <br />have thick slurred speech or engage in some of the violent and bizarre behaviors mentioned above.