1 THC dirty & 3 clean UAs for school within 2 weeks... STRESSED OUT!! Please advise.

I have been a night club operator and dj for over 10 years. I did smoke pot occasionally during this time. I have no trouble giving up ever smoking it again, and when I decided to go to trucking school I refused to partake while working as a dj for any event anymore. Because I have smoked and because I am around heavy smokers on occasion, I was worried about the drug test before school started. I took several home tests and took a school recommended clinic given test. All were clean. I worked one event the weekend before school. We took a test at school and I tested positive, (though it couldn't have been by much!) I took another test for the school that next week and tested clean.

I am extremely frustrated and worried: I have paid the school nearly $5. I finished my DOTSAP and have now had 2 clean tests. I have volunteered to jump through whatever hoops necessary to prove I am clean and have no intention of hurting my potential career as a trucker. And, though cash is low, I have refused any gigs since. BUT, the school is required to tell any potential employer that I tested positive.

Does anyone know in similar experiences what potential employers will do? What employers will consider? I'm considering dropping school and getting my money back since using them as a reference feels like shooting myself in the foot. The positive test is only available to employers who contact the school IF I tell them I trained there or used their recruiters.

BUT, since I have the clean tests to back me up... Which is worse? Not having the schools recommendation? OR, having it WITH that positive? Does having the positive test cancel out any benefit I would have being able to show I completed my training with a school?

I'm not sure $5K to get the school's training recommendation is worth them telling every future employer I had one dirty drug test.

Dude you are going to have troubles... They have a no tolerance in the trucking industry... Celadon I know takes people who had issues in the past long as they went to some type of treatment... Did you request a second test? Anyways. there is some info on this forum that may help.. use the search option and type in drug test and read threw the post...

Yes you are definitly going to have troubles. I really hope this has been a lesson learned about second hand smoke relating to pot issues. One tip...be honest and up front. You will be respected more for honesty and being upfront when it comes to getting jobs. I know to some it will sound like an excuse or even bogus. I have been in situations where someone has lit up and quickly removed myself from that situation. If you have proof that you were where you say you were and doing what you say you were doing then I would hold onto it...forever! When applying for a job, mention that you have documentation that you were DJing at such and such place at such and such time that led up to a bad pee, that is, if you have that documentation. A signed contract for that gig or even the copy of the reciept that you gave your customer. I really dont know how well this would work but if I was hiring someone that failed a drug test as a result of second hand pot smoke due to a different job and they could present me with proof that you just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, I would definitly take it into consideration. At this point its all about CYA. I wish you the best and next time you get into a bad situation please remove yourself. There isnt enough money in the world to ruin me when it comes to jobs and drug testing.

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Obama? McCain? I think Imma vote ME for president!

Thank you for offering some positives for me. I have been reading many posts related to this and found many responses extremely negative, almost caustic. I'm trying to work up from where I am and came to this forum because of it's experience and expertise. I hope, like others, for realistic answers with some specific options from those with careers I look at with respect. I do respect other's opinions, even the rather judgmental opinions as their own. I may not have a perfect past, but I am trying hard to gain better control of my future. I just may need some pointers and advice along the way.

I passed my test, got my license today. I spoke to the school and a Teamster union man. The school does not report to DAC, but is obligated to tell any employer IF they inquire about my drug screening that I had a fail. The union man said employers will test me upon hire anyway. And, the most important thing if it does come up, is that I have completed all the drug classes. So, I stay in school and start looking for a job.

Well good luck... most important stay clean...

Good luck and remember REMOVE YOURSELF FROM A STICKY SITUATION!

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Obama? McCain? I think Imma vote ME for president!

EBEC,
I hope that you haven't listened to the negative responses that most of the people have given to your initial request for answers and support.

I don't think that I have ever met anyone that didn't have skeletons in their closets. Everyone has done something wrong in their past...except Jesus Christ!

I graduated from US Trucking School in 2003. My recommendation to you, although it is probably too late now, is to not even tell potential employers you failed this test or even went to Truck driving school. You can be hired with your CDL...you don't have to tell employers you went to truck driving school. The rationale for my advice is plan and simple. Look at the responses you got here to your question...Mostly all negative. This same negativity will continue to happen once you admit to a positive. Everyone wants to hang you, no one wants to help you.

Best advice I can give is to get help to quit if you need it and keep it private...it is no ones business but yours. If fact HIPAA "Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act" prohibits the release of patient information without the expressed written consent of the patient. DO NOT TELL, BUT GET HELP IF YOU HAVE AN ADDICTION AND DON'T DRIVE UNTIL YOU DO. Do not give away your privacy writes, especially in a world that is so quick to point fingers, hang the "evil-doer", and osterize people who have made mistakes.

Finally, do not work for a company that reports to DAC. In the 5 years that I have been driving, most of the companies that report to DAC are not worth your time to work for. Companies that report bogus information to DAC should be sued for defamation of character, but it does not happen because you have to have money to sue and most truckers can barely put bread on the table. Once DAC has information on you, it is impossible to have it removed, even if it is bogus.

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BECAUSE THE TRUTH HURTS AND PAIN BUILDS CHARACTER

I think you are right on all counts!
Thank you

Good luck there new driver, When I was at Celadon's orientation a year ago they threw someone out that had a positive, and would not let her do courses or anything else. They told her go home. alot of the companies will do that. my advice is do the course and most importantly stay clean!!!!! Even being around it at a party/club/rave whatever is enough to give a dirty ua. You don't need that hanging on your head, good luck to ya and be safe.

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" If you ain't living on the edge, you're taking up too much room!