DrugFree Pennsylvania
Drug Free Pennsylvania’s Drug-Free Workplace campaign focused on inspiring businesses to create safer work environments for employees by implementing drug-free workplace programs. The following public service announcements (PSAs) were distributed to radio stations statewide. Listen
why your business needs a drug-free workplace program by clicking on the PSAs below.
Substance Abuse … the Corporate Raider
Employee substance abuse can create safety hazards for employers,
co-workers and the public. There are also the costs of lost business
opportunities arising from missed deadlines, diminished product quality,
and damaged business reputation. Look at these sobering statistics.
absent from work four to eight times more often than normal. Drug
users are absent from work an average of five days per month due
to substance abuse.
abusers are 33% less productive and cost their employers
$7,000 annually.
industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol abuse.
four times more likely to be involved in workplace accidents and
five times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim.
abuse.
three times more likely to use medical benefits than other employees.
steal from their workplaces to support their habits.
third leading cause of workplace violence.
Drug Free Pennsylvania’s mission is to combat drug and alcohol abuse in Pennsylvania through partnerships with employers, employees, schools, public agencies, and the media.
We commend the organizations that have joined us in our mission to support Pennsylvanian communities and workplaces by educating people about substance use disorders and providing them with the coping mechanisms they need to overcome their addictions.
Drug Free Pennsylvania will occasionally release Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for products and services. RFPs are made known to the public and, if necessary, may also be posted here. Drug Free Pennsylvania is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers services and initiatives to communities, organizations, and people in the state to reduce and eradicate drug and alcohol abuse.
For decades, illegal drug use has been regarded as one of the nation’s most serious problems. In fact, smoking, drinking and drug use are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, both during adolescence as well as later in life.Today, substance abuse continues to be a major problem that is rapidly changing and affecting us all. There are so many drugs available and new ones continue to appear. That is why it’s critical that you arm yourself with information about what drugs are available, and how they can hurt you or your children.Learn more about the following:
What are DOM/DOB/MDA?
DOM/DOB/MDA are chemical variations of amphetamines. They are stimulants.
DOM is chemically 4-Methyl-2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine was introduced into the San Francisco drug scene in the late 1960s, and was nicknamed STP, acronym for “Serenity, Tranquility, and Peace.”
DOB is 4-bromo-2, 5-dimethoxyamphetamine.
MDA is 3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, similar to MDMA or Ecstasy.
What do they look like?
They are most often found in either powder or pill form.
How are they used?
They can be snorted or taken orally. They are most often found in either powder or pill form. Because they are produced in clandestine laboratories, they are seldom pure and the amount in a capsule or tablet is likely to vary considerably.
What are their short-term effects?
These drugs differ from one another in their potency, speed of onset, duration of action and their capacity to modify mood with or without producing overt hallucinations.
What are their long-term effects?
Unknown.
What are their federal classifications?
Not Applicable
Source
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Click on the link below to download the fact sheet for this drug:
What is LSD?
LSD is the most common hallucinogen and is one of the most potent mood-changing chemicals. It is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.
What are the street names/slang terms for LSD?
Acid, Doses, Hits, Microdot, Sugar cubes, Tabs, Trips.
What does it look like?
LSD is usually found on “blotter” paper (paper that is perforated into small squares). The squares or “tabs” may be colored or have images printed on them. Liquid LSD is a clear liquid, usually in a small container, tube or flask. LSD can also be found in thin squares of gelatin.
How is it used?
LSD is taken orally. Gelatin and liquid can be put in the eyes.
What are its short-term effects?
The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount taken, the user’s personality, mood, and expectations, and the surroundings in which the drug is used. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs. The user may feel several different emotions at once or swing rapidly from one emotion to another. If taken in a large enough dose, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations. The user’s sense of time and self changes. Sensations may seem to “cross over,” giving the user the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. These changes can be frightening and can cause panic.
What are its long-term effects?
Some LSD users experience flashbacks, recurrence of certain aspects of a person’s experience without the user having taken the drug again. A flashback occurs suddenly, often without warning, and may occur within a few days or more than a year after LSD use. Most users of LSD voluntarily decrease or stop its use over time. LSD is not considered to be an addicting drug because it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior like cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, alcohol, or nicotine.
What is its federal classification?
Schedule I
Source
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Click on the link below to download the fact sheet for this drug:
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Cultivating Media Partners to Combat Substance Abuse
Since 1993, Drug Free Pennsylvania has worked with Pennsylvania media to promote anti-drug messages through an ongoing statewide media campaign, its Media Partnership program.
Every six months, Drug Free Pennsylvania distributes public service announcements (PSAs) to television, radio and print media. The high-quality PSAs are simple, hard hitting and convey anti-drug messages. Annually, the Pennsylvania media contribute more than $1 million of free television and radio broadcast time and newspaper and billboard space. The Media Partnership program allows Drug Free Pennsylvania to…
What are AMT & Foxy?
AMT and Foxy are hallucinogens.
What are the street names/slang terms for AMT & Foxy?
AMT is referred to as Spirals, Amtrak, and Amthrax.
Foxy is also known as Foxy Methoxy.
What do AMT & Foxy look like?
AMT is often found in an off-white or orange crystal powder but can be in capsule or tablet form as well. Foxy may be in powder, tablet, or capsule form. Tablets may be purple or red and may have a spider or alien marking on it. Foxy capsules usually contain a powder that is blue, green, tan, orange, gray, or pink.
How are they used?
Both AMT and Foxy are usually taken orally, but can be snorted or smoked.
What are their short-term effects?
Effects for both substances include an increase in energy, hallucinations with both visual and auditory distortions, euphoria, empathy, and emotional distress. Some users may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. People also report nervous tension, irritability, restlessness, inability to sleep, blurry vision, and dilated pupils. An average dose of AMT can last from 12 to 24 hours while an average dose of Foxy can last from three to six hours.
What are their long-term effects?
Unknown.
What are their federal classifications?
Schedule I
Source
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Click on the link below to download the fact sheet for this drug:
Drug Free Pennsylvania Conducts First of Its Kind Survey of PA Employers
In 2003, Drug Free Pennsylvania conducted a first-of-its kind survey to gauge Pennsylvania businesses’ awareness, policies, and practices regarding employee substance use and abuse. More than 450 businesses were surveyed in June and July of 2003. Key findings included: