Combatting Drugs and Violence in the Workplace

1. Introduction to Security Chapter 12 Drugs and Violence in the Workplace

2. The Threat of Drugs • The U.S. has a long history of drug use, including alcohol. • The cost of drug abuse is staggering; in 2002, the cost was estimated at 180.9 billion dollars. • At an increase of 5.3% per year, it represents one of the most costly health problems in the U.S.

3. The Threat of Drugs Largo Corp. vs. Crespin (1986); the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that an employer or proprietor could be held liable for the conduct of an intoxicated employee or patron if the drinking occurred at work or at the place of business.

4. Drug Statistics • 19.1 millions Americans 12 and older currently use illicit drugs. • 8% of the country’s population has used an illegal drug in the past 30 days. • Pharmaceutical drug abuse rate exceed those of all other drugs, except marijuana. • Marijuana is the most widely abused illicit drug.

5. Drug Schedules • Schedule I – heroin, LSD, GHB, marijuana • Schedule II – morphine, PCP • Schedule III – anabolic steroids, codeine • Schedule IV – valium, xanax, rohypnol • Schedule V – Robitussin, OTC products

6. 4 Categories of Drugs • Narcotics • Depressants • Stimulants • Hallucinogens

7. I. Narcotics • Produce sleep, lethargy, or relief of pain • Examples: heroin, cocaine and crack

8. Narcotics - Marijuana • The most available and abused illegal drug in the U.S. • Sinsemilla – a highly potent form of marijuana • Often cited as a gateway drug – meaning it leads users into the abuse of harder drugs

9. II. Depressants • Sedatives fall into this category • Often taken orally as a small tablet or capsule to induce sleep or relieve tension • Symptoms are: signs of drunkenness, slurred speech, impaired coordination, mental and emotional instability

10. III. Stimulants • Also known as amphetamines • Normal doses produce wakefulness, increase alertness and initiative and hyperactivity • Exaggerated feelings of confidence, power and well-being come from too-large doses

11. III. Stimulants • Symptoms of heavy stimulant use include nervousness, hand tremors, mouth dryness and pupil dilation. • Because of these symptoms, handling people under the influence of stimulants is always a safety concern for security officers.

12. III. Stimulants • Methamphetamine – a potent stimulant, synthetically produced, is a huge concern for employers • Also known as speed, ice, and crystal • Methamphetamine use tends to be regionally concentrated, focused in the West and Midwest.

13. IV. Hallucinogens • Produce distortion, intensify sensory perception, and lessen the ability to discriminate between fact and fantasy • Examples are LSD, PCP • A symptom almost always present is nystagmus; a bouncing or jerking of the eyeball when the person looks to the extreme left or right.

14. General symptoms of drug use: • Sudden and dramatic changes in discipline and job performance • Unusual degrees of activity or inactivity • Sudden and irrational flare-ups • Significant change in personal appearance or the worse.

15. General symptoms of drug use: • Dilated pupils or wearing sunglasses at inappropriate places or times • Needle marks, razor cuts or wearing long sleeves constantly to hide them • Sudden, uncharacteristic attempts to borrow money or steal • Association with known drug abusers or pushers

16. Alcohol Abuse • According to the Institute of Alcohol Studies, 3-5% of the workforce is alcohol dependent.

17. 3 ways alcohol can impair work performance: • Employees with a raised alcohol level can jeopardize both efficiency and safety through errors in judgment and increased accident proneness. • The after-effects of drinking (hangovers) impair both work performance and attendance. • Persistent alcohol abuse can be associated with a range of social, psychological and medical problems.

18. Preventing Alcohol Problems in the Workplace • Make sure the workplace culture does not encourage or tolerate drinking • Offer health and employee education programs • Establish EAPs to help employees with existing problems

19. Violence in the Workplace • The definition for workplace violence is quite complex, but it encompasses behaviors ranging from personal concern (threats, bullying, harassment) to injury to death.

20. Violence in the Workplace National Association of Safety Professionals 3 levels of violence: • Disruptive Behavior – intimidation, bullying, obscene language or gestures, shouting, other non-physical acts

21. Violence in the Workplace National Association of Safety Professionals 3 levels of violence: • Aggressive/ threatening behaviors: obscene calls, stalking, serious harassment, physical trauma, suicide threats

22. Violence in the Workplace National Association of Safety Professionals 3 levels of violence: • Physical assault, including throwing objects, pushing, grabbing, striking, sexual assault and any attack with a weapon

23. Violence in the Workplace The workplace violence continuum illustrates a general pattern followed with workplace violence:

24. Violence in the Workplace • Workplace violence is most likely to occur in a toxic work environment. • Toxic work environment characterized by: • Highly authoritarian style of management invasive of privacy • Changing supervision patterns • Work climate cloaked by extreme secrecy

25. Other motivations for workplace violence: • Job loss due to downsizing • Uncaring working environment • Availability of guns • Personality conflicts • Resentment • High levels of stress on the job • Substance abuse • Mental health issues

26. Recognizing the Risk – Who does it? • The typical perpetrator of workplace violence is: • White Male • 25-50 years old • Loner • Disgruntled • Has been or is about to be fired • Gun enthusiast

27. Warning Signs: • “Leakage” of violent thoughts. Pay attention to what people are saying and take concerns voiced by others seriously. • Depression • Paranoia • Erratic Behavior • Fixation on a co-worker • Threats (direct, indirect or conditional) • Direct – to a certain place or person • Indirect – “I could kill everyone.” • Conditional – “If this happens, you’ll regret it…”

28. Preventing Workplace Violence • A proactive plan, customized to your workplace, is essential. • Clear “no threats, no violence” policies including zero tolerance. • No weapons at work policies • Training for all employees • Careful pre-employment screening • An effective reporting system

29. Violence in Schools • From July 1, 2005 through June 2006, 35 youths age 5-18 died from school-associated violence. • 6% of students ages 12-18 reported they were afraid of attack or harm at school. (Black and Hispanic student rates are higher than white students.)

30. 4-pronged approach for effective school security: • School/law enforcement/security partnerships • Clear policies on accepted behavior with consequences for nonconformity • Security procedures & technology • Crisis planning

31. #3 – Security Procedures • Video surveillance • Virtual tours • Cell phones • Advanced weapons detection system • Biometrics • New Jersey schools using an iris recognition system to only allow authorized people into schools