There are 4 major indicators of possible drug use/abuse:

PERFORMANCE indicators "Performance" indicators that are often (but not always) specific to drug-abuse excessive absenteeism or tardiness lower productivity missed deadlines excessive equipment breakdown because of poor maintenance deteriorating work quality poor morale increased minor accidents and mistakes multiple reports of theft, missing personal items by co-workers BEHAVIORAL indicators "Behavioral" indicators that are often (but not always) specific to drug-abuse sudden change in attitude, work, or behavior- a new “I don’t care” attitude sudden deterioration of long friendships and relationships "explosive" arguments and disagreements over small matters frequent hangover symptoms using drug culture jargon secretive behavior avoiding “straight” (non drug-users) co-workers erratic behavior, forgetfulness, indecision deterioration in personal appearance and hygiene hyper-activity, constant toe or heel-tapping and/or "drumming" of fingers easy excitability restlessness, increased physical activity wearing of long-sleeved garments in very warm weather new financial problems or frequent borrowing of money PHYSICAL indicators "Physical" indicators that are often (but not always) are specific to drug-abuse small blood spots or bruises on skin bloodshot or watery eyes runny or irritated nose, irritating cough, sore throat speech pattern changes, slurred speech, faster speech, slower speech tremors or jitters constant scratching of skin, "picking" at skin and hair on arms, etc. poor coordination, tripping, spilling, bumping into things and other people large or small (dilated) pupils a faint skin odor- either sweet or acrid easily fatigued or constantly fatigued hyper-excitability PARAPHERNALIA indicators "Paraphernalia" indicators that are often (and almost always) specific to drug-abuse possession of hypodermic needles balloons aluminum foil wrappers mirrors or flat metal short straws glass pipes smoking pipes capsules vials folded paper envelopes cigarette lighter (or small butane torch) when carried by a known "non-smoker" Of course, possession of a drug itself is a definite tip-off of drug abuse!

Review each of these four categories frequently until you know them well. This will enable you to be “on the lookout” for these signs and symptoms and to recognize them in your workplace.

Very important!!! While the above information represents "known-indicators" of drug-abuse, it certainly does not "prove" abuse of drugs. For example, a few of these indicators can be attributed to a newly-acquired emotional stress (death in the family, job loss, a divorce, etc.). A few of them are also identical to symptoms a person exhibits when they simply have the "flu-bug"! Some of these symptoms are a "standard description" of how you might define the "personality" of someone. In other words, "...it's just the way they have always been".

On the other hand, in combination, these symptoms could well be drug-abuse related....especially if you observe a sudden appearance of a combination of these indicators in an individual. If you recognize that these indicators represent new behavior for them, the possibility is strong that those sudden changes are a result of newly-begun drug-use. Please keep the above caution in mind.