The Five Drugs of the DOT - All DOT drug tests are for five drugs

All Department of Transportation drug screens, whether preemployment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, or follow-up, test for five drugs.

The D.O.T. five are THC (Marijuana), Opiates (Heroin), Amphetamines, Cocaine and PCP. All five drugs are illegal and are considered to be the most abused illegal drugs in the United States. Knowing something about each of these drugs will help supervisors to recognize references to them, behaviors associated with them and how they are used.


THC (Marijuana)
THC (Tetrahedral Carbonyl) is the active ingredient in Marijuana and Hashish.
Slang terms: pot, grass, smoke, weed, joints.
Form: Dried flowers and leaves of the hemp plant, Cannabis Sativa. Also, green, brown or black block of hashish.
Uses: Primarily smoked in pipes or rolled in papers as cigarettes (joints). Can also be eaten in baked goods.
Effects: Users experience feelings of relaxation and giddiness and often experience dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, loss of coordination and balance, and slower reaction times. Also adversely affects short term memory.
More info: Marijuana


Opiates
Derivatives of the opium poppy. This group of drugs includes morphine and it’s derivative, heroin. It is highly addictive and users who inject it run the extra risks of HIV and hepatitis B and C from sharing needles.
Slang terms: smack, horse, H, junk, scag
Form: Usually a white powder, but runs in color from white to dark brown or even black.
Uses: Often taken orally, it can be inhaled, smoked and injected into the blood stream.
Effects: Intense euphoria, drowsiness, impaired metal function, slowed respiration, disorientation.
More info: Opiates


Amphetamines/Methamphetamine
A powerful central nervous system stimulant or “upper”, it is also addictive.
Slang terms: speed, meth, crank, crystal, glass
Form: Sold as a powder, it can be mixed with water for injection, or sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana and smoked. Purer forms can be in clear chunks, resembling rock candy.
Uses: Taken in pill form, smoked, injected, or vaporized and inhaled.
Effects: Users feel energetic, alert and self confident. Many also feel wired and agitated and their behavior becomes unpredictable. Some feel compelled to repeat small tasks over and over, and others may pick at imaginary bugs on their skin. Users rarely eat or sleep and eventually “crash”, marked by agitation and depression.
More info: Amphetamines/Methamphetamine

Cocaine
The most powerful nervous system stimulant found in nature, it is derived from the coca plant. It causes a short-lived high and is considered addictive. Users may require more and more of the drug to get the same feeling.
Slang terms: coke, crack, snow, blow, sneeze, rock.
Form: It comes in the form of a white powder and also as off-white crystalline chips, rocks or chunks.
Uses: It is usually snorted, and can also be injected. The crystal form is usually smoked or vaporized and inhaled from glass pipes.
Effects: Mild euphoria and feeling of increased energy. Interferes with sleep patterns and can cause muscle spasms and convulsions. Emotional changes include feelings of depression, edginess and craving more of the drug.
More info: Cocaine