Methamphetamine and

the Workplace

U.S. Departments of Justice and Labor

A Department of Labor initiative

engaging partners to make America’s
workplaces safe, healthy and drug free
 Adult Illicit Drug Use:
A Workplace Concern
• 14.1% (17.7 million) of working
adults in the U.S. reported using illicit
drugs in the past year:
– 11.23% (14.1 million) reported using
enough to get high

• 3.1% (3.9 million) reported using

before arriving at work or during
working hours
– 2.9% (3.6 million) reported working
under the influence of illicit drugs
 Methamphetamine
Overview
• Powerful, addictive stimulant that
affects the central nervous system

• Schedule II drug under Controlled

Substance Act of 1970

• Abused by many, creating problems for

families, workplaces and communities
 Workplace Impact
of Meth
• Occupational injuries and fatalities
• Absenteeism and employee turnover
• Increased illness rates and health
benefit utilization
• Lost productivity
• Low employee morale
• Workplace violence
• Identity theft
 Forms of Meth and
How it is Taken
• Comes in many forms and colors
– Powder that looks like granulated crystals

– Tablets (yabba)

– Rock or crystal, also known as “ice”

– Ranges in color from white to yellow to

dark red and brown

• Can be smoked, snorted, orally

ingested and injected
 Forms of Meth
Powder
Tablets Rock

Ice/Crystal Meth
 Effects of Meth

• Increases energy and alertness;

decreases appetite

• Causes release of high levels of

dopamine, creating intense rush that
can last many hours

• Can cause side effects such as

convulsions, dangerously high body
temperature, stroke, irregular
heartbeat
 Consequences of
Chronic Meth Use
• Psychotic behavior, including
paranoia, hallucinations and violence

• Tooth decay, known as “meth

mouth”

• Cardiovascular problems

• Increased risk of contracting

HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C
 Meth Abuse &
Addiction
• Highly addictive

• Initial intense rush is followed by high

lasting 6-8 hours; then comes a
devastating low, causing user to chase
the initial rush

• Meth has neurotoxic effect on brain

and damages cells; continuous use of
meth does not let brain recover
 Three Stages in
Pattern of Abuse
• Low-intensity
– Psychological addiction
– Preferred form of use is swallowing or
snorting
• Binging
– Psychological addiction with a continuation
of the high
– Preferred form of use is smoking or
injecting
• High-intensity
– Same as binging with focus on preventing
the crash
 Binging
Patterns
of Abuse

High
Intensity

The low intensity

pattern of use does
not include the
rush of binge use
 Meth is Spreading Nationwide

• Higher rates of use in rural areas, but

increasingly present in cities as well
• Has spread from west to east in U.S.
• Concentrated enforcement efforts
have decreased domestic production
in small labs, but trafficking from
Mexico has increased
• Imported meth is purer and may have
contributed to a rise in meth addiction
and treatment admissions
 Demographics of Meth

• Though traditionally associated with

white males in their 20s and 30s:
– Most meth users are 18-25 years old
– Average age of first use is 20-24
– Women make up 45% of those in
treatment for meth addiction
• Individuals often start using meth to:
– Help alleviate stress
– Help lose weight
– Increase energy and productivity
– Intense high/euphoric effect
 Vicki: One woman’s story of use and
recovery
Video Courtesy of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Click box to view

 Hard-Hit Industries and
Occupations
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Retail and sales
• Food services
• Certain sectors of transportation
• White collar jobs
• Athletics
 Meth at Work

• Research shows that meth use among

workers does appear to be decreasing
– Recent Drug Testing Index® showed
decrease in workplace drug screens
testing positive for amphetamines

• When meth is used at worksites, it is

likely to be taken orally, mixed in a
drink or snorted
• Worker use before “on the clock” is
also of serious concern
 Dealing with Meth in
the Workplace
• Employers, supervisors or managers
should not attempt to diagnose a
“meth problem”

• Focus should always be on work

performance

• Recognizing the signs and symptoms

of meth will prepare/equip
employers to confront behavior and
intervene appropriately
 Signs & Symptoms of Meth Use
in the Workplace
• Initially can cause high level of
productivity, but this will not last
• While on meth individuals tend to be:
– Careless; unreliable
– Involved in numerous accidents which
damage equipment or property or injure
themselves or others
– Unable to focus on details of routine
duties or follow directions
– Argumentative
– Risk takers who disregard safety
 Meth Prevention in the
Workplace Setting
• Best deterrent is a drug-free
workplace, one where:

– All employees understand that

substance abuse while working is
not acceptable; and

– Workplace policies and programs

discourage substance abuse and
facilitate treatment and recovery
 Five-Step Approach to a
Drug-Free Workplace Program

• Drug-Free Workplace policy and

procedures

• Employee awareness and education

• Supervisor training

• Employee assistance program

• Drug testing
 Meth Treatment

• Recovery from meth addiction is

possible, but takes time

• No “anti-meth” medication exists

• Studies show that behavioral therapy

is helpful

• Outlook is becoming more positive as

more studies are conducted and the
drug’s effects are better understood
 Meth Treatment in the
Workplace Setting
• Many people in recovery lead
successful lives, contributing positively
to workplaces and communities
• Workplace practices can help meth
users get to treatment:
– Drug-free workplace programs that
includes assistance for employees
– Coverage for drug treatment in group
health insurance plans

• Follow-up is essential
 Drug-Free Workplace Resources

• Department of Labor’s Working

Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free
Workplace Program:
www.dol.gov/workingpartners
• Center for Substance Abuse Workplace
Helpline: 1-800-WORKPLACE
• Employee Assistance Professionals
Association (EAPA): www.eapassn.org
• Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry
Association (DATIA): www.datia.org
 Meth-Specific Resources

• Dept. of Justice Meth Awareness Site

www.justice.gov/methawareness/

• MethResources.gov
www.methresources.gov

• National MethWatch Program

www.methwatch.com
 Sources of Help for
Individuals
• Crystal Meth Anonymous
www.crystalmeth.org

• Substance Abuse Treatment Locator

www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
Phone: 1-800-662-HELP

• Partnership for a Drug-Free America

www.drugfree.org
www.dol.gov/workingpartners