Substance Abuse Policy

Question 1

Substance abuse includes the use of?

Answer 1

-Illegal substances
-Controlled substances
-alcohol

Question 2

True or False?

Any supervisor who fails to act on evidence of employee impairment assumes a share of the liability for the member’s actions or inactions.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Courts have recognized that firefighters and paramedics give up some of their “privacy rights” (FOURTH AMENDMENT) when they agree to work in the public service.

The courts have identified a term called _________ to determine when substance abuse testing is justified.

Answer 3

“Reasonable suspicion”

Question 4

The decision to test an employee must be based on more than mere suspicion.

The reason must be based on:

Answer 4

Objective facts or observations and rational inferences that would lead an ordinary, prudent and cautious person to believe the employee has ingested a controlled substances or is under the influence of alcohol.

Question 5

California state law establishes a level of ____% as the level where a vehicle operator is presumed under the influence of alcohol.

Answer 5

.10%

A vehicle operator may still be found guilty of being under the influence with a level between .05% to .10%

Question 6

Dept members will be considered impaired and unable to perform their duties in a safe manner if they have a alcohol level as low as ____%

Answer 6

.01%

Burn-off rate of alcohol is approximately .015% per hour.

Question 7

Alcohol can cause the following physical symptoms:

Answer 7

-bloodshot eyes
-imprecise eye movement. (Nystagmus)
-slurred speech
-odor on breath
-sloppy personal appearance, change in sleep patterns (napping, insomnia)

Question 8

Behavioral Symptoms of Marijuana use:

Answer 8

-lack of motivation
-intensified concentration on surroundings
-obsession for food
-giggly conversation
-use of eye drops
-affected perceptual ability
-impaired short-term memory
-reduced ability to concentrate on tasks

Question 9

Marijuana use:

Answer 9

-Both stimulant and sedative effects
-increases pulse rate and blood pressure
-causes muscle relaxation

Question 10

The cocaine rush lasts 5 to 15 minutes with a lesser euphoria that lasts ____ to ____ hours.

Answer 10

3 to 4 hours

Question 11

Benzoylecqonine is what is tested in the urine for COCAINE use. Cocaine stays in the blood ____ to ____ hours and it can be detected in urine for several _______.

Answer 11

3 to 6 hours

Days

Question 12

Changes in ______ are the key to recognizing substance abuse.

Answer 12

Behavior and appearance

Question 13

Physical signs of cocaine influence:

Answer 13

-irritable
-pupils dilated
-elevated blood pressure
-rapid pulse
-rapid respiration

Question 14

Who shall a supervisor contact if they have “reasonable suspicion” that a member is under the influence?

Answer 14

-Next level supervisor in their chain of command (normally higher rank than captain)

(suspected member will not be left alone or respond to emergencies while notification is being done.)

Question 15

After the immediate supervisor has notified the next level supervisor for a member suspected of being under the influence, who else must be immediately notified?

Answer 15

Department’s Administrative Justice Unit (AJU)

(also on call -24hrs thru MFC or daily roster)

Question 16

Who is authorized to collect a urine sample from a member suspected of being under the influence?

Suspected employee shall be placed on admin detail to Ops office as necessary.

Answer 16

Administrative Justice Unit (AJU) officer

Question 17

If notification to the Administrative Justice Unit (AJU) officer is based on an employee’s physical characteristics/behavior or the odor of alcohol, the member’s immediate supervisor shall fill out what form?

Answer 17

F-Temp 3000 - Supervisor’s Report of Employee’s Physical Characteristics/Behavior

Question 18

If during the request for a urine sample the employee requests representation, the representative must respond to the location within what amount of time?

Answer 18

Within one hour

Question 19

The employee _____ (does/does not?) have the option to provide blood in lieu of urine.

Answer 19

-Does not

Blood should only be drawn when member is unconscious.

Question 20

Do not interrogate the employee as questions could constitute an interrogation as defined in Section 3303(h) of the Government Code and the employee would be entitled to a ________

Answer 20

Representative

Question 21

Arrange for another Dept member to transport the impaired employee home when:

Answer 21

-Employee is ordered to give urine sample
-Urine sample is provided or is refused
-Transportation arrangements cannot be made by employee with a friend, family member, or public transportation

(If transportation offer is refused: Have witness of the offer and take steps to prevent employee from driving home)

(If employee insists on driving a vehicle advise them that LAPD/CHP will be contacted…. And do so if the employee drives home)

Question 22

The employee’s supervisor who reported the “reasonable suspicion” of a member being under the influence shall forward a f-225 THROUGH CHANNELS to _________.

The F-Temp 3000 - Supervisor’s Report of Employee’s Physical Characteristics/Behavior indicating the “reasonable suspicion” shall be attached.

Answer 22

the Operations office.

Question 23

Once taken off duty, how does an employee who tests negative for a urine test return to duty?

Answer 23

Evaluation by medical services div

Question 24

If employee refuses the order to provide the urine sample, direct the employee to write their answers to questions 4 and 5 and on the F-______.

Answer 24

F-Temp 3001 — Order for Urine Sample

(Employee must be advised of the BASIS FOR the SUSPICION prior to being requested to provide a urine sample)

Question 25

If the employee voluntarily provides a urine sample, have the employee and witnesses sign the F-______.

Answer 25

F-Temp 3002 Employee’s Voluntary Urine Sample