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Many times a marijuana joint is used as the means of taking other illegal drugs.
Marijuana is also commonly used in combination with alcohol. These combinations magnify
the effects of each other and result in unpredictable behavior, impaired skill levels, and
unnecessary risks to health and safety. The risks become even greater when the user is not
aware of the presence of the other drugs and is caught by surprise with more than he/she
bargained for.
Combining cocaine with alcohol or other depressants results in significant physical
trauma as the two drugs are giving the body two opposite messages (i.e., speed up and slow
down). Cocaine mixed with other stimulants greatly intensifies the effects of both drugs.
The result is increased blood pressure and heart rate often resulting in heart attack, stroke,
brain seizure and/or death. The human body can only take so much abuse.
The resulting effects on job performance and skill levels will be more dramatic and
longer lasting with the use of a combination of drugs. Attempting to perform basic skills
may become very difficult and dangerous, compromising public and personal safety.
Discussion
View Graph 10-4
How can a responsible person avoid the risks associated with combining drugs?
Do not combine any drugs or alcohol unless specifically directed to do so by a physician or
pharmacist. Be particularly cautious with the use of alcohol, tranquilizers, barbiturates, or
stimulants. Be careful to read warning labels and ask your physician how the drugs may
interact and how that will affect your skill level and job performance.
Which drug combinations are the most dangerous?
The combination of alcohol with tranquilizers is often cited as a deadly combination, as is
the combination of cocaine and other stimulants. However, any combination of drugs can be
dangerous and should be avoided unless a physician or pharmacist directs their use.
Because the effects of the drugs are intensified and unpredictable, a public transit
professional may not know what the effects of taking the drugs may be or how their job skills
will be impacted. Unnecessary risk to the individual, co-workers, passengers, and others on
the road, results.
Combining Drugs 57