1 / 26

Methamphetamines and Worker Safety May 09, 2006

Methamphetamines and Worker Safety May 09, 2006. Afton Wagner, Programs Field Representative Calvin Kelley, Programs Field Representative OKDHS Children and Family Services Division PO Box 25352 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 (405) 521-2283. OAC 340:75-3-8.7. Worker Safety and Meth.

milek
Télécharger la présentation

Methamphetamines and Worker Safety May 09, 2006

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Methamphetamines and Worker SafetyMay 09, 2006 Afton Wagner, Programs Field Representative Calvin Kelley, Programs Field Representative OKDHS Children and Family Services Division PO Box 25352 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 (405) 521-2283

  2. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Worker Safety and Meth • When engaging clients involved in the manufacturing of Methamphetamine there are risks CW staff must be must be aware of in order to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of their clients.

  3. Risks to CW Staff • Exposure to Toxic Chemicals • Toxic fumes • Risk of fire and explosion • Weapons • Behaviors can be unpredictable due to • Cognitive Impairment • Psychosis

  4. Risk to Children • All physical risks previously discussed. • Parental behavior under the influence: • poor judgment, • confusion, • irritability, • paranoia, • violence • Inadequate supervision • Inconsistent parenting • Chaotic home life

  5. Risk to Children (contd.) • Second-hand smoke exposure • Accidental Ingestion of drug or ingredients used to make the drug • Possibility of abuse • HIV exposure from needle use by parent • Chronic Neglect • Household may lack food, water, utilities • Children may lack medical care, dental care, immunizations • Greater risk of sexual abuse if parent has multiple partners

  6. MethamphetamineWhat is it? • A drug with immense abuse potential • Commonly known as speed, meth, crank, crystal meth, glass, ice, the poor man’s cocaine • A CNS stimulant of the amphetamine family • A powerful upper that produces alertness & elation • Effects are much longer lasting than cocaine

  7. Meth vs. Cocaine • Meth is cheaper than cocaine • The body metabolizes it more slowly making the effects last much longer • Meth effects can last 10x longer than cocaine • Meth binges can last up to 7 days while cocaine rarely last more than 72 hours

  8. Meth Labs • Illicit meth on the streets is derived from two sources; clandestine laboratories and imports from super labs • Clandestine Labs are typically small, utilizing common household appliances, glassware, and chemicals to produce meth. • Super Labs are found both in the United States and in Mexico.

  9. Meth Production • There are many variations in production procedures for meth. • Each method has its own dangers. However, all production have in common: • Many chemicals used are caustic or corrosive, some create noxious & harmful fumes • Many chemicals found in household items such as lantern fuel, cleaners, acetone, muriatic acid, and diet pills

  10. How great is the risk? Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs

  11. Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs

  12. OKDHS Response to Methamphetamine Epidemic • Developed Policies and Procedures designed to insure staff and client safety. • Enhanced/expanded training to inform staff of risks involved with the manufacturing of Methamphetamines. • Enhancement of training to assist staff in understanding the disease process and dynamics.

  13. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Safety Precautions for Cases where Meth Production or use is Suspected • Investigations in which there are allegations of Methamphetamine use or production are not initiated without the assistance of Law Enforcement. • If new allegations of Methamphetamine use or productions are received in an ongoing case the same precautions are taken as in an investigation.

  14. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Collaboration • CW staff maintain regular contact with law enforcement to stay informed about the most current indicators of Methamphetamine production.  The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control information flyers are kept in supply in each county office.

  15. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Indicators of Meth Production • Some of the indicators of Meth use and production identified by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control are: • Strong odors re: unusual chemicals such as ether, ammonia, or acetone • Little or no traffic around the home during the day, but significant activity during very late hours • Extra efforts made to cover windows or to reinforce doors; • Trash not put out for collection;

  16. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Indicators of Meth Production (contd.) • Significant accumulation of items such as cooking dishes, coffee filters, or bottles that do not appear to be for regular household use; • Presence of unusual quantities of chemicals; • Outbuildings, hotel and motel rooms, apartments, storage sheds, garages, and vacant buildings are all common places where methamphetamine is produced; and   • Vehicles loaded with laboratory materials or chemicals.

  17. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Initiation of Investigation • The CW worker, in initiating an investigation alleging use or production of Methamphetamine: • Requests law enforcement to accompany him or her;   • Remains in the car until law enforcement has determined that the residence is safe to enter; and • Does not enter circumstances when there is evidence of a Methamphetamine the residence under any laboratory.

  18. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Presence of Meth Lab • When evidence of a Methamphetamine laboratory either outside or inside the residence is encountered, the CW worker: • Does not enter any residence where there is any evidence of Methamphetamine laboratory materials or chemicals on the property;   • Discreetly but immediately leaves the residence if he or she unknowingly enters a home in which there is evidence of a Methamphetamine laboratory, and drives to a safe location to contact law enforcement; and • Follows decontamination procedures as discussed in next section

  19. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Decontamination • If there is any exposure to a Meth lab decontamination procedures are followed.   • Cover car seats and floorboards with plastic covering and wash hands with soap and water before touching the steering wheel; • Go to a safe location to change clothes and place the dirty clothes in a plastic trash sack.  All exposed skin surfaces should be washed with soap and water. Wash any items carried into the home with soap and water; and   • Make every effort not to touch any surface until the skin has been wiped with disinfectant wipes or items washed with soap and water.

  20. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Basic Safety Equipment Items • a cellular phone, whenever possible; • one change of clothing; • clean towels • surgical gloves for handling children that may be injured or exposed to Meth • disinfectant hand wipes; • plastic trash bags for covering car seats and floorboards, and for carrying clothes that may need decontamination; and • dust masks to limit breathing of chemical or other fumes.

  21. OAC 340:75-3-8.7 Safety Precautions for Children who most likely been exposed • Prearrange an agreement with law enforcement to handle decontamination for children • Law enforcement will transport children • Whenever possible, children are taken immediately for medical exams. If not the same day, then arrangements will be made as soon as possible

  22. CW Worker Education in Safety Protocol CW staff are trained in Safety Protocol by OKDHS programs staff and Law Enforcement Personnel in safety procedures • Basic Worker Safety in CORE • Substance Abuse Level I • Substance Abuse Level II • Substance Abuse Level III

  23. CW Staff Training • Training materials should provide staff the opportunity to; • Develop skills in recognizing the signs and stages of drug use on a continuum • Understand of the dynamics of substance abusing families • Signs, stages and levels of abuse; pharmacological effects • Short and long term effects of substance abuse

  24. CW Staff Training (contd.) • Understand how assessment tools aid in formulating an effective treatment plan (SASSI) • Improve their communication skills and utilization of assessment tools • Dual diagnosis of abusers, • Assess whether or not there is a concern of use • If Meth use has been an issue what are the client’s needs for intervention • What are the risks of relapse

  25. CW Staff Training (contd.) • What are the available intervention resources and how does the client access • What are the ongoing community supports and how does the client access • Treatment modalities, • Appropriate goal setting and • How to avoid burnout when dealing with abusers • Staff should be given instruction regarding communication with service providers

  26. Implications for Practice • Prepare staff for working with clients engaged in the use and/or manufacturing of Methamphetamine through; • Development of standardized protocol • Training • Collaboration with community partners and Law Enforcement

More Related