Do you only get one chance at orientation

Don't get disoriented!

 

No, no, no... See with Stevens it wasn't a "failed" drug test. It was what they call "a disqualifying" medication. Stevens is very strict and has this list that includes most high blood pressure meds, diabetes, antidepressants and on and on and on... The thing that really had a burr under my saddle blanket was the waist of time it is for them and the prospective hire. Why wouldn't the send the disqualifying medication list in the email with the rest of the pre-hire packet? It made no sense to me especially when they payed to fly me to Dallas and payed to send me home on the bus.. After a 24 hour bus ride, I got home around 6 in the evening and went to my doctor at 8 in the morning the next day. Doc said that I could go off the meds so I was like COOL! Went straight home called Stevens and they were all. "Oh yeah.. umm.. See you have to be off the meds for 30 days.." "Yeah... and then your doctor needs to fax us a blah, blah, blah, blah.. Ah, wah, wah, wah... So I was like, "Screw you guys.. I'm goin' home.." Which of course I was.. Next phone call was to WEL and.. well? Here I'm leaving for 4 weeks with my trainer tomorrow... How do you like them apples, Stevens?

 

Drug tests are either pass or fail. There is no in-between. A disqualifying medication is a failed drug test. A refusal is also a failed drug test.

 

Hmm... From what I was told, Stevens goes beyond what DOT's standards are and apply their own safety standards.. I had already taken the UA drug test an hour before I saw their doctor, so I did not refuse the test. I disclosed the medication before the test as they wanted everyone to list EVERYTHING including over the counter drugs like Advil, anti-acids such as Zantac, cold medicines even aspirin. They told the whole OR 1 class this and mentioned that they do not allow most Non Drowsy over the counter drugs, such as Clairitin, for example because it can make "some" people drowsy. And we were told that they did not allow such prescribed or over the counter Non Drowsy drugs in the truck and if we were caught it could be grounds for termination!

The med I was taking was not even something that a UA drug screen even tests for. They wouldn't have been able to find any of the drugs listed above in the standard DOT drug screen, over the counter or not. Personally, I would venture to say that a portion of THEIR "disqualifying" drugs wouldn't show up either unless BIG money was spent and someone was specifically looking for particular compounds. There were a few other guys, one I specifically talked to who was disqualified for blood pressure meds prescribed by his doctor and he also took the UA drug screen.

Since then I have talked to several other veteran drivers about this they found it to be a bit bazaar. One told me about being on blood pressure meds for 20 years and it has never been an issue with any company he's worked for. And I asked if the companies knew about the blood pressure meds he was on and he said that not only did they know, but the one company he worked for, their doctor took him off one med and put him on something else that worked better for his condition.. So,

Yes.. a DOT drug screen is either a pass or fail with no in-between... Illegal street drugs or testing positive for alcohol I say fail. However with that said, I guarantee that the test I took with Stevens would pass! Because I know that the medication I was on would have never shown up along with the a big portion of Stevens own disqualifying drug list. There are many human conditions that can be controlled with the right medication. And perhaps with Stevens this is a case of their drivers insurance company saying in order for us to give you the rate you want, none of your drivers can take the following list of meds...