Last updated : November 11, 2024
Narcotics are a class of drugs that typically blunt the senses, including but not limited to the sensation of pain. Opioids, such as morphine and derivatives (such as hydrocodone)are becoming increasingly popular outpatient prescription treatments for chronic pain. These medications used to be uncommonly prescribed to outpatients for only the most severe chronic pain, such as cancer or Chron’s Disease. However, with the increased commonality of these outpatient prescriptions comes an apparent increase in overdoses and subsequent deaths. Further complications can occur when these drugs are utilized while in the workplace, which can lead to workplace accidents and injuries.
Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of employment screenings has found a near 20% jump in opiate use from 2008-2009 and a 40% jump in positive opiate drug screens from 2005-2009. Many employers conduct post-accident drug screenings when an injury accident occurs in the work place. Quest has found nearly four times more opiate positive drug screens for post-accident drug screenings than found during pre-employment exams. There are no specific indications regarding the legalities of the drug usage. What is concerning is that the employee may or may not be suitable to perform their job while on these painkillers. Opiates can easily decrease concentration, cause drowsiness and slow reaction times. Combine these side effects with heavy machinery use or other high risk work activities and there is a disaster waiting to happen.
As mentioned, taking opiates while working may not be appropriate and can cause injury or death due to the side effects caused by the medications. Opiates also have a reputation to become addicting. Moreover, people can easily build up a tolerance to opiates and need more and more to get the same effect as the original prescription. While a physician may prescribe 20mg of Morphine, after a few weeks of usage, the individual may find that 40mg is needed to relieve the pain. Weeks later, the amount needed for the desired effect may increase further. Before they realize it, they are taking too much and are addicted.
If not caused by an accident or injury, opiate death is a bit different than what you may expect from a typical overdose. The opiates depress the respiratory system when used in sufficient quantity. Breathing becomes shallow and slower, eventually becoming ineffective. Even though breathing continues, it is insufficient to remove acid from the body. Acid builds up due to poor respiration and the body ceases to function. The blunting effects of the drugs make it unlikely that the person’s natural defenses will wake them up and allow them to correct the inadequate respirations on their own. These people are usually found to have died in their sleep.
Prescription prices have reached an all-time high in recent years. Unfortunately, opiates and other pain medications are not known to be inexpensive. Employers pay a tremendous amount of money towards the cost of these prescriptions, which can be renewed for an extensive period of time. This especially applies to those with chronic pain. The effects of these drugs can also cause a sharp decrease in workplace productivity, further costing employers time and money. Calling out sick due to painkillers is also expensive, as employers have to pay sick leave and often overtime for employee coverage.
Combine the above issues with opiate-caused accidents and workplace injuries and the costs can surmount exponentially. Employers cannot interrogate employees regarding their private health conditions, and few use good judgment when combining work and painkillers. This painkiller epidemic is proving to be not deadly and costly, with no viable solution in sight.
