Drug Alcohol Testing???

I thought every driver had to take a drug test when they got hired on with a new company, and it's up to the company on whether to accept the current medical card or have the driver take another physical.
Drug test =Big deal, I can pass

 

My last random was urine and breath. When your name is picked for a random it’s supposed to be a surprise. The employer cannot give you advanced notice. I mean they can but that defeats the purpose of a random. And yes, I went back to work too.

 

It's called a random drug test and it is legal and actually required.

 

It goes to medical patients like myself now too. Randoms are a risk monthly. Computer selects a batch of names and calls em. If you do not show within a certain hours you are cut off from being a patient there and by extension from any further treatment. It's not just the drug test however they get it out of your body, urine, blood or hair etc. (Urine is best and fastest and most sensitive) they will also count the pills remaining against your pending refill date. If your doses do not match the expected remaining, you are potentially referred to SIU for sales, diversion or even abuse depending on the doctors judgement. We caught three last few months for trafficking common pain drugs, some of which are quite strong, they get to rot in the jail for 5 years each now.

This is the opposite of active OTR trucking because I have been medically retired for a number of years now with a laundry llist of hard verified diagnoses related directly to wear and tear on the big road.

A breath test at a moment's notice would not bother me in a active OTR situation. Nor was a surprised drug urine etc back then. None of that was a issue when I was active. In fact when I was shipped to ER for trauma several times with suspection of broken bones or other important parts not working anymore I tell the docs no narcotics because just patch me enough to kick me back out. There is a truck and load waiting to be taken care of today.

This industry from my position has become seriously intolerant and will do whatever it takes to remove anyone slightly impaired from touching a 18 wheeler any time. The reasoning I think in my mind is that drug legal states push medical pot, and even rec pot (If you are taking a medical card, you by defination cannot pass a DOT medical anyway, you are too sick... right?) and if you come from a rec pot state, it's still a schedule A drug (Class 1 etc) which means under Federal rules CDL's are automatically banned from touching a big truck, for a period of time depending on cycles of half life for medically necessary use. And if caught for rec pot, the bans are massive.

Drinking is minor. By comparison. So you get up, have mouthwash with alcohol in it for your morning making ready to work, get out of sleeper and called in for a breath test? hum... that's going to maybe be a problem.

It's only going to get worse and deeper as they drill down to weed out the last of those who seek to touch a big truck while impaired in some manner.

Alma scales have been celebrating lately, they caught more than two hundred pounds of pot here in Arkansas in CDL vehicles sending 4 drivers to jail. Several on warrants and at least two on pot trafficking. The scales had two busts on two separate days and the state is turning into a giant enforcement fortress for lack of a better word much more than what it was years ago. Even as a simple car driver I can feel it a little bit, although I plan my drives around no medicines that will create a DUI well in advance or have other options for transport. They are definitely on the hunt.

 

i have had drug screening (pre-employment and random) done all the time, i have also had alcohol testing at some pre-employments as well.


the employer can take finger prints of you if they need to (i have had that done) and can MAKE YOU GO get a background check from your state DA's office (i have had that done as well)

if you feel "persecuted" perhaps you are in the wrong industry since (to me) you sound scared you're gonna get popped for a positive some day.

 

I had a random and then a month later was sent to do a non dot drug and alcohol. The 2nd was to go on file for one of our customers who requires anyboxy who enters the plant to have one.

 

I am in the process of interviewing potential employers now. I have tanker, hazmat, double/triple trailer and TWIC. Been through all the DOT and FBI and BCI background and finger-printed twice with a background check through the Department of Homeland Security. The paper work I signed said that I am required to comply with ANY test or search or investigation of person or vehicle upon request. There need not be any provocation or reason for such request. Additionally, the employer has almost the same right but I think their motive is more for insurance coverage purposes. In other words they will get better insurance rates by having squeaky clean drivers and employees. Those are just the facts of life in today's litigious society. They will also get a break on their insurance for 'collision mitigation systems' and 360 camera's inside and out of cab. My guess is by 2025 or sooner it will become a mandate. All just my humble opinion.

 

Industry is over regulated in your neck of the woods. You are the dog and when they say jump you don't ask how high...you just jump!