Drug Free Workplace

The use of alcohol or drugs carries risks that can cause negative health effects. Learn more about the possible health risks.

https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics

Alcohol

This includes beer, distilled liquor, ethanol, and wine.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: High
• Psychological: High

Short-term risk and effects

• Impair judgment and vision
• Lowered inhibitions
• Loss of motor skills and coordination
• Slurred speech

Long-term risk and effects

• Cardiovascular disease
• Hypertension
• Liver damage
• Neurological damage
• Toxic psychosis

Overdose

• Coma
• Possible death

Cannabis

This includes hash oil, hashish, grass, marijuana, pot, and weed.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: High
• Psychological: High

Short-term risk and effects

• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Lowered blood pressure
• Lowered inhibitions
• Poor concentration
• Reduced anxiety
• Sedation
• Slowed pulse and breathing
• Slurred speech

Long-term risk and effects

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Toxic psychosis
• Tremors

Overdose

• Blackouts
• Cold, clammy skin
• Coma
• Life-threatening withdrawal
• Possible death
• Respiratory depression and arrest
• Toxic reaction if combined with alcohol

Depressants

This includes barbiturates, benzodiazepine, date rape drugs, liquid ecstasy, flunitrazepam, GHB, methaqualone, special K, and Xanax.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: high
• Psychological: high

Short-term risk and effects

• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Feeling of irritability
• Lowered blood pressure
• Lowered inhibitions
• Poor concentration
• Reduced anxiety
• Sedation
• Slowed pulse and breathing
• Slurred speech

Long-term risk and effects

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Insomnia
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Toxic psychosis
• Tremors

Overdose

• Blackouts
• Cold, clammy skin
• Coma
• Life-threatening withdrawal
• Possible death
• Respiratory depression and arrest
• Toxic reaction if combined with alcohol

Hallucinogens

This includes acid, angel dust, crystal, LSD, MDA, mescaline, mushrooms, PCP, peyote, phencyclidine, and psilocybin.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: low/unknown
• Psychological: unknown

Short-term risk and effects

• Altered state of perception
• Increased body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Numbness
• Sleeplessness
• Tremors
• Weakness

Long-term risk and effects

• Hallucination Persisting Disorder (flashbacks)
• Intensify existing psychosis
• Violent behavior

Overdose

• Intense, prolonged hallucinations
• Possible sudden death
• Psychosis

Inhalants

This includes gases and solvents.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: High for chronic, long-term abuse
• Psychological: High for chronic, long-term abuse

Short-term risk and effects

• Impaired judgement
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Poor coordination
• Slurred speech

Long-term risk and effects

• Cardiovascular and nervous system damage, leading to inability to walk, talk, or think
• Cramps
• Depression
• Loss of muscle tone
• Memory impairment
• Mild withdrawal
• Muscle wasting and weakness
• Weight loss

Overdose

• Coma
• Possible sudden death
• Possible toxic reaction
• Unconsciousness

Narcotics

This includes codeine, Demerol, HCL, heroin, meperidine, morphine, opium, Oxycodone, and Vicodin.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: high
• Psychological: high

Short-term risk and effects

• Confusion
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Euphoria
• Nausea
• Pain relief
• Sedation
• Staggering gait

Long-term risk and effects

• AIDS and Hepatitis infection
• Malnutrition

Overdose

• Clammy skin
• Coma
• Convulsions
• Death
• Respiratory arrest
• Shallow perspirations
• Tolerance, addiction
• Toxic reaction if combined with alcohol

Stimulants

This includes amphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA, methylphenidate, phenmetrazine, and Ritalin.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: possible
• Psychological: high

Short-term risk and effects

• Appetite loss
• Excitement and euphoria
• Feeling of well being
• Increased alertness, blood pressure, pulse
• Insomnia

Long-term risk and effects

• Insomnia
• Nervous system damage
• Organ/tissue damage
• Paranoia
• Weight loss

Overdose

• Agitation
• Convulsions
• Hallucinations
• Heart attack, stroke
• High blood pressure
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Temperature increase

Tobacco

This includes chewing/smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, and nicotine.

Potential for dependence

• Physical: high
• Psychological: high

Short-term risk and effects

• Bad breath
• Bad taste in mouth
• Decreased lung capacity
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate

Long-term risk and effects

• Adverse pregnancy outcomes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer

Overdose

• Possible death

https://handbook.usi.edu/drug-and-alcohol-policies

https://handbook.usi.edu/tobaccofree-policy

The University of Southern Indiana is committed to providing a drug-free workplace. In response to the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the University has established the following policy designed to create a drug-free environment. The University expects the cooperation and commitment of all employees in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

The University does not accept nor condone the inappropriate use of a controlled substance by any individual employed by the University. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in University facilities is prohibited. Any employee who violates the drug- free workplace policy may be subject to discipline, up to an including termination. All individuals employed by the university must abide by the policy. Any employee, who is convicted of a criminal drug statue violation arising out of conduct in the workplace, must notify his department head within five days of the conviction.