Prime Inc. Drug Screen Policies

Just shave your entire body and tell them it is a religious thing. Mohammad approves.

 

Unfortunately the feds don't recognize the legality of pot in either CO or WA. You piss hot, your career is gone. Besides we don't need stoned truck drivers.

 

Agreed. However, making the ASSumption that because someone smoked pot in the past that they will undoubtedly be stoned while driving is ludicrous. I do agree with drug testing..in any form. Just trying to shed light and maybe a different perspective. For instance, there are still over 200 counties that ban alcohol. If by chance a person were hired on with a company who was based out of a "dry" county and their company policy was zero alcohol tolerance, would said person not look for another company without that policy; If they fancied a drink on home time? I ASSume they would. Why? Because in said persons hometown, they could enjoy that freedom. Granted this isn't an exact analogy but hopefully we get the gist. If more companies enforced a zero alcohol tolerance policy, a plethora of drivers would be scrambling for information on who does and who doesn't do that type of testing.

 

You're right. It maybe legal in your state... You can smoke up... Later on when you give it up and decide to go trucking (because then you are under Federal DOT rules) you can get your hair test and be rejected.

Dope heads, legal or not are not a protected class and can be discriminated against. How many trucking companies you think will have insurance policies that will let them hire drivers who exhibit past use in a hair follicle test. Even if it was legal in their home state.

 

Iron, I think we do get it. Please understand that I'm new to the industry and want to make sure that I do what's necessary to ensure that if I had the slightest chance of blowing a drug screen I have everything in place to be able to prove that the use was completely legal and therefore not going to be an issue. I'm not trying to challenge or dodge the system and completely agree with pre employment as well as random screens.

The point isn't IF you should admit to it, but when/what time frame. I'm no expert on drug screens but do know that if I take a pee test 3 weeks after the last time I used a prescription pain killer it will be negative. However, if the company uses a hair sample and I don't know about that prior to my physical, I won't have the necessary documentation to show that it was used legally and want to ensure that there are no issues.

In all honesty, I'm embarrassed to even feel like I needed to ASK something like that. I simple want to make sure that when I do take the test that everything is in place to ensure I can prove I'm not a druggie. What I SHOULD have asked was what kind of information do I need to bring so that when I DO take the physical and give a sample they know the situation and can prove it. I'm not even sure it would show up in a hair test. The doc prescribed 20 of the stupid things, I took 2 and have the rest sitting in the bottle. So, maybe you can help me here. Do I bring the prescription bottle with the other 18 in it? Do I need a note from the doctor saying when and why the meds were prescribed? Is there anything else I need to bring?

BTW... appreciate your reply here and know this is a hot topic. I'm simply new and thought it would be a good idea to ask people who've been through this before. My apologies if I came across as someone who's trying to get away with something.

 

If I recall correctly, they want to know what you've taken in the last 90 days. Have the prescription bottle (sans product!) with you, and make sure you have your doctors phone and fax numbers with you in case you need additional documentation. Usually, Prime's doctor wants to see you off of a proscribed medication for 30 days prior to your physical to make sure there aren't any problems going forward.

The medical side of the industry does understand that there are times you have to take something that won't allow you to drive. So you come off the road, take the time to get well, and then report back. You'll get qualified again through a drug screen, and away you go. As long as you are truthful about your situation and work with the doctors and management there aren't any problems. It's when we start trying to game the system a little... that's when the problems start.

As it stands right now, use of illegal drugs or non-approved prescription drugs that show up in a drug test will get you in a world of trouble. While there are some carriers that have drug rehab programs for folks who get caught once, most of the time they want you gone. The fact is that if you are on the road and get selected for a random test, you will only have a few hours to comply. Refusal or dragging your heels getting there is viewed in the same light as a failure. You get hit with a "refusal to test," and that will get you out the door just as fast as providing a hot sample.

Now with all that being said, be up front with your recruiter that you did take a couple, and when it was. It won't be a problem, and worst case they may push your start date a little bit down the road to make sure it isn't a problem. Since it's in your file that you told them about it, a minute trace in your body will be viewed just as a minute trace... and they'll move on. If your use of a prescription drug falls under the time period they're concerned about, make sure it's on the forms asking about it. During the DOT physical, if the doctor asks about it... be upfront and truthful about it. You'll get through just fine. It's not illegal to use a properly prescribed medication. It is illegal to try to hide that use, or omit disclosing it.

 

Thanks so much for the info! It's probably been long enough that it won't even show, but why chance it. I'd planned to let them know but wanted to cross all the t's and dot all the I's to make sure as well as have whatever documentation is necessary.

I'm 48 and trying to enter a new career after spending a long time in construction and can't tell you how valuable the information everyone has posted here has been. Thanks again for taking the time to help. It's greatly appreciated.

 

I went in for a pre employment urine/hair drug screen 3 days after being released from the ER for kidney stones. I informed the the clinic what drugs I had been given, IV and oral, and got hired.

You guys make this way too complicated. If you are afraid of the hair sample ratting you out, shave it off. (All of it, everywhere... Yes, even there). They can't test it if you don't have it.

 

It's important to make sure I do this right. As far as shaving everything off... well... I'd rather be up front about it. Being straight forward is always the best policy in my book and no offense, but I think that would make it look like I WAS trying to avoid the screen which isn't the case at all.

Thanks for the input though.

 

They'll tell you to come back when it's grown out. If they let you come back.

You guys don't get this. Keeping dopers from behind the wheel is a big thing with the feds. That's why there's all this emphasis on it. Get clean, stay straight, don't lie about it and you're fine. Try to game the system... you'll get caught eventually, and put into the federal drug screening database where they won't forget about it.