What Does
Narcotic Mean?
A narcotic is a drug or substance that effects mood or behaviour, most often resulting in pain relief and drowsiness in the user. Originally used as the term for sleep inducing pharmaceuticals, this term is now most commonly used to describe illicit substances including opiates and methamphetamines. The term narcotic is now used in a legal sense to refer to any mind-altering substance that is illegal.
Safeopedia Explains Narcotic
In the workplace, the use of narcotics can be extremely dangerous. In professions where machinery and vehicles are operated, sleepiness, a major side effect of narcotic use, can lead to accidents. Though many believe that narcotic use is illegal, from a medical standpoint, narcotics include prescription drugs like codeine, which is a legal substance. Extreme caution must be taken when using these kinds of medication, and many employers prefer staff to be on sick-leave or light duties while using these medicines.