Illegal drug use

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by Race Grandpa, Jul 16, 2011.

  1. Jul 16, 2011 #1
    Race Grandpa

    Race Grandpa Bobtail Member

    24
    4
    Jul 14, 2011
    Olympia, WA
    0
    I am looking into being an OTR truck driver. In the past I have been in white collar jobs where there was almost no illegal drug use and what there was did not happen on the job. I have talked to a couple of former truck drivers who said that there is a lot of drivers that use illegal drugs. Given a fair amount of discussion on the forums about illegal drugs I suspect they maybe correct.

    So I have the following questions:

    1. What causes the use of illegal drug use by OTR truckers.
    2. How does that affect those who do not use illegal drugs.
    3. Is there more illegal drug use by OTR truckers than other Blue Collar jobs requiring the same skill set.
    Thanks.
     
    Race Grandpa, Jul 16, 2011
    Race Grandpa, Jul 16, 2011
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jul 16, 2011 #2
    lostNfound

    lostNfound Road Train Member

    3,506
    2,269
    Jun 28, 2007
    Home of the Stampede
    0
    Define "a lot." If by that, the former drivers you talked to mean "most", they are lying. Given that pre-hire, (regular) random and post-crash (if tow-away or injury) testing are a requirement of the job, then both you and they are wrong.
     
    lostNfound, Jul 16, 2011
    lostNfound, Jul 16, 2011
    #2
  4. Jul 16, 2011 #3
    ronin

    ronin Road Train Member

    2,928
    1,710
    Jul 22, 2008
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    I have never, meaning seriously never, had contact with any other driver using drugs.. never seen paraphenalia, etc... never smelled smoke... and being former military law enforcement, I know what I'm looking st when I see it.

    Most of the discussion yo usee is from losers who smoked dope, and tried to smoke right up until time for a urinalysis, and got whacked for failure, which effectively ends your career in this field.

    This is one of the most drug-controlled fields in the country... nothing like construction, bartending, painting, landscaping, etc...
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2011
    ronin, Jul 16, 2011
    ronin, Jul 16, 2011
    #3
  5. Jul 16, 2011 #4
    Race Grandpa

    Race Grandpa Bobtail Member

    24
    4
    Jul 14, 2011
    Olympia, WA
    0
    Thanks for the info. I feel a lot better now. And I have never done drugs. It was just a concern.
     
    Race Grandpa, Jul 16, 2011
    Race Grandpa, Jul 16, 2011
    #4
  7. Jul 16, 2011 #5
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,748
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    Illegal drug use also includes improperly used/abused legal drugs.

    Just the other day a Schneider driver was arrested for killing those Amish people in the carriage.

    They suspect him of illegal use of a legal drug.

    Depends where you look, I've seen more than my share of pot smoking by drivers.

    The drug testing has helped some, but nothing is fool-proof.
     
    123456, Jul 16, 2011
    123456, Jul 16, 2011
    #5
  8. Jul 16, 2011 #6
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,748
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    123456, Jul 16, 2011
    123456, Jul 16, 2011
    #6
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.