SafetyBabe,

Thank you and that is very helpful information! Is there anywhere online we can read about the SAP organizations and their qualification training/testing?

Had another question that could help dispel myths or potentially help drivers. The FMCSR specifies that employees being tested do not list medications they are taking on the CCF. I went for a test and was concerned about an OTC medication I had taken a day or so before the test. The tester did not want to know about any medications and there was really nowhere to "officialy" note them. Are there any OTC medications that have been suspect or known to cause positive results? Any suggestions for those taking OTC's if they know they have a test coming up? If an individual is taking a currently prescribed medication what should they do? What normally takes place if the prescribed medication triggers a positive test result? I did not see any mention of that in the FMCSR.

Please excuse my ignorance of the pharmacological sciences as they relate to drug testing. When I test to me it is not an adversarial process but for some it is. These questions/answers may help ease some of their suspicions.

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Knowledge is power, but sharing knowledge brings peace!

It's my pleasure, now that I am not in a corporate setting I see the need for valid information to be available without fear of a reprimand or worse, losing your job.

You can easily find SAP information on line by googling it, but I would spell it out "Substance Abuse Professional". A few websites will come up with the training and qualification details.

OTC's have no bearing on drug tests and the DOT does not consider them important. Why? because if they did take OTC's into consideration it would become the perfect cop-out for those that do use drugs.

Second, legally sold OTC medications in the US do not include any substance that would trigger a false positive, see my mention of "legally sold in the US", recently a weight loss OTC manufactured in Brazil was banned from being sold in the US because it contained drugs and many people lost their jobs or where not able to obtain jobs after testing positive.

Finally, random drug tests are supposed to be ordered either right after being on-duty, before reporting to duty or during duty time, this is supposed to rule out incidents of incorrect drug test results.

Prescription medications is a different story. When a drug test result is positive the MRO (medical review officer), reviews the results and attempts to contact the donor to rule out any prescribed medications. The driver has 10 days to contact the MRO and provide proof of any prescription or condition that would have caused a false positive. If the driver does not provide the information within the 10 days the MRO will use a positive drug test result to the employer and if applicable, to the state (see list on previous post).

During these 10 days the employer is not notified of the proceeding which is kept confidential and motor carriers cannot "stand down" a driver for a pending random drug test, unless they are authorized to do so by the DOT, NOTE most motor carriers are not authorized to use the "stand down" provision and therefore must wait for the process to be complete before making a decision. Pre employment drug tests are different since motor carriers cannot use a driver until they obtain a negative pre employment drug test result.

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This thread seems to highlight the fact that many drivers have no clue about the regulations, or what the process is supposed to be.

I'm not knocking that lack, but it should be a standard that all drivers hold themselves to, that is knowing the process and the laws that protect them.

Guys/gals - having questions after an event can be too late for some of you. It's your license at stake.

Thanks Safetybabe, All the people who read your responce's are better off for you taking the time to inform. Thank you

Does anyone know what are the consequences in TX of choosing to resign rather than agree to take a random test? If your "number" comes up, and you quit your job, is that considered a refusal? If so, what are the consequences?

If your number came up and you were notified to take the test any reason other then being in a serious accident that required you to be transported to a hospital is considered a refusal and even in that case you would be tested at the hospital its my understanding that there is no way to get out of the test without causing a refusal which i am sorry to say is no less severe then failing a drug test the question at this poit is what is your company going to do if they report to DAC you need to find out. good luck hope it turns out ok for you.

I don't know HOW they could NOT know what the Regulations clearly spell out, and the repercussions of refusing to take a drug test.

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I agree. With as much that is written here and in the trucking mags they should at least have a clue.

Very helpful fellas, thanks.

Now you both talk as though you know the answer, so how about addressing my question first, and insulting me later?

Simply put. When you get your CDL and you are hired, you are given a little book by the company. It is your responsibility to read that book. You initialed the form stating that you did.

The book clearly tells you of your disqualification from driving when you refuse to take a random drug test.

Quitting or resigning after the notification does not relieve you from the test. You were still employed.

So, you would be disqualified from driving for the prescribed time. The little book or the website for FMCSA will give more info.