The other category includes laws designed to protect the basic civil rights of American workers. These statutes provide special legal protection for certain types of employees. They set clear limits on the extent to which an employer can go ahead to investigate and determine the consequences for employees` drug use. The main such federal laws and regulations are: The economic impact of substance use in Canada on an employment or industry has always been difficult to measure. Many costs are overshadowed by general absenteeism or illness, lack of productivity “unnoticed” or inability or unwillingness to directly link substance use to the causes of incidents. For details on managing impairment in the workplace, see the OHS Intervention and Recognition Policy for details to be included in a workplace impairment management policy. Caught in the crossfire. Just as alcohol prohibition fueled violent gangsterism in the 1920s, today`s drug prohibition has spawned a culture of drive-by shootings and other gun crimes. And just as most of the violence of the 1920s was not committed by drunk people, most drug-related violence today is not committed by people who use drugs. Murders, then as now, are based on rivalries: Al Capone ordered the execution of rival smugglers, and drug traffickers are now killing their rivals.
A 1989 government study of 193 “cocaine-related” murders in New York found that 87 percent resulted from rivalries and disagreements related to doing business in an illegal market. In only one case was the perpetrator actually under the influence of cocaine. If you think someone is taking drugs, it`s best to talk to an adult you trust. This could be a parent, other family member, teacher, coach or school counselor. The person may need professional help to stop using drugs. An adult can help the person find the treatment they need to stop using drugs. Another way to help children is not to try or take drugs. It`s a great way for friends to stay together. Impairment can be the result of many situations (including fatigue or stress). Situations where problematic substance use can lead to workplace problems include: Although marijuana is an illegal drug in some states, an increasing number of states have legalized it. Some states allow doctors to prescribe it to people for certain conditions.
Another factor to consider is the appeal of forbidden fruits. For young people, often attracted by taboos, legal drugs can be less tempting than they are today. This is the experience of the Netherlands: after the Dutch government decriminalized marijuana in 1976 so that it could be sold and consumed openly in small quantities, use steadily declined – especially among teenagers and young adults. Before decriminalization, 10% of Dutch 17- and 18-year-olds used marijuana. By 1985 this figure had fallen to 6.5%. The active ingredients of legal drugs can be regulated and controlled, for example, the alcohol content of beverages or the milligrams of nicotine in cigarettes. For more information on how employers can work with unions, contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). No quality control. When drugs are illegal, the government cannot set standards for quality, purity or potency. As a result, illicit drugs are often contaminated or extremely strong, causing illness and sometimes death to those who use them.
High – A high is the feeling that drug users want to have when they use drugs. There are many types of heights, including a very happy or spatial feeling or the feeling that someone has special powers, such as the ability to fly or see into the future. Understanding drugs and why they are dangerous is another good step for a child. Here are some words that might be new to you: Tranquilizer (say: dih-PRESS-int) – A sedative is a drug that slows down a person. Doctors prescribe sedatives to help people feel less angry, anxious or tense. Sedatives relax muscles and make people sleepy, less stressed or when their head is stuffed. Some people may use these drugs illegally to slow down and promote sleep, especially after using various types of stimulants. (See below.) Too often, employers assume that negotiating a drug testing agreement or drug-free workplace policy with their union will be a clumsy and adversarial process. However, some unions support such programs because of their potential to reduce workplace injuries and accidents. Federal laws on drug-free work policies can be divided into two broad groups or categories of laws. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (PL 103-3) applies to all public institutions and private employers with more than 50 employees.
According to the FMLA, these employers must allow employees who have worked for the employer for at least one year and worked at least 1,250 hours in the past 12 months to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave because of their own serious medical condition or to care for a spouse. a child or parent who has a serious medical condition. The universality of drug use throughout human history has led some experts to conclude that the desire to change consciousness, for whatever reason, is a fundamental human impulse. People from almost every culture, at all times, have used psychoactive drugs. Local South Americans take coca breaks like we do coffee breaks in this country. Native Americans use peyote and tobacco in their religious ceremonies, just as Europeans use wine. Alcohol is the drug of choice in Europe, the United States and Canada, while many Muslim countries tolerate the use of opium and marijuana. Some drugs – such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and various prescription and over-the-counter medications – are legal. However, their use may be restricted due to the age, location, driving and regulations of the outlets. Many organizational, personal and social factors can play an important role in why a person chooses to use a substance. In general, however, some work-related factors may be: In large workplaces that are racially and ethnically different, it is also advisable to include a diverse and representative group of employees in the formulation of your policy. This will help you create a culturally competent program that is applied fairly, and responsive to the needs of all employees.
The workplace can be an important place to address substance use issues. Employers and employees can work together to develop an impairment management policy that outlines what is and is not an acceptable code of conduct. Those who profit most from prohibition are the organized crime barons, who make about $10 billion to $50 billion a year from the illicit drug trade. In fact, criminal drug laws protect drug dealers from taxation, regulation and quality control. These laws also support artificially high prices and ensure that commercial disputes between drug traffickers and their customers are not resolved in court, but with automatic weapons on the street. Although rates of drug use are similar among white and non-white Americans, African Americans and other racial minorities are more likely to be arrested and incarcerated.