This Is Starting To Worry/annoy Me "Drugs"

Now I haven't seen it come up to often here. But on a couple of other sources a regular questions are A. Drug testing? B. What kind (UA vs Follicle). Sorry, and I don't care where it's legal. If the first question you ask is in regards to drug usage I don't want you driving professionally. Hell I wouldn't hire you for most office positions either if it's one of your top questions. If you have to ask at all it's a good indication that getting high is too much a priority in your life for me to consider you reliable.

I'm not some kind of saint. I did things in my 20's like many others, but the first time I had to pass on a job because they had a drug screen I decided I'd rather work than get high.

Well it's not nearly as simple as that.

First of all, someone that does use drugs recreationally may want to clean up and move ahead with their lives into something like trucking that takes far more responsibility. Well they'll need to know what type of testing is being done and how long they'll have to remain clean before beginning their new career. So there's nothing wrong with getting the right information so you don't accidentally get started too soon and fail a drug test.

Then you'll have unique situations from time to time. For instance, you might wind up getting a horrible toothache over the weekend and it's going to be a couple of days before the dentist is around. So you take a couple of your spouse's prescription pain pills they had left over from a surgery they had a few months back just to get by until the dentist can see you. But because the prescription isn't in your name you would fail a drug test if you took one. So you have to know what type of testing is being done and how long before you'll be clean.

Sometimes people have surgery and they're prescribed narcotics for pain. You have to have those out of your system before you can drive a commercial vehicle.

Another person might have gone through a tough time after losing a loved one and they were prescribed a medication to help with depression. Well now it's been a few months and the person is ready to move on with their lives and get a new career started in trucking. But naturally you would rather not let your new employer know you were struggling with depression recently so you'd rather not have these medications show up on a drug test for fear of being dismissed before you can even get the ball rolling.

So there are a lot of reasons for inquiring about the type of drug tests given and how long it takes to get clean.

Thank you Brett. I did not mean to come off quite so much as a straight razor, cranky old man.

But to your points, when such a question is asked, the applicant normally provides the context if it's for a legit/semi-legit reason. When I see the question asked on someplace like Reddit, I default to my personal experience/bias and assume a pot head who's buddy just got into trucking and thinks it's a sweet deal.

Again, my apologies to any I've accidentally offended. I'm trying to be positive, but it's been a bad year and a half.

Well here's to hoping the next year and a half will make up for the last!

Without a doubt you'll get some of that kinda thing you mentioned but hey, if someone is ready to clean up and move forward with their lives we'd be happy to help them make that happen. What we have never done, nor will we ever do, is help someone cheat the system. We have to share the roads with these people too and we all make our living in this industry so it's in everyone's best interest to make sure we send people out there that intend to work and live like true professionals. So if someone is ready to make that jump we'll be there to help them out and encourage them. But in our opinion you have to live and work the right way to handle the responsibility that comes with being a professional driver. We won't settle for less and we won't allow others to believe they can settle for less either.

Thanks Brett, for opening my eyes.

I've smoked weed and occasionally used other drugs since I was 16 and now I'm 54. I quit 3 months ago. I passed a DOT UA drug screen and have my med card. With CDL learners permit in hand ( thanks to high road ) I'm going to the DMV in 2 weeks to test out for a class c bus driving job. When the time has passed that I know I can pass a hair follicle test I'll start the path to becoming a class A driver. A new career in trucking and a fresh start in life is a welcomed blessing. Failing any sort of drug screening process will derail all my attempts at a career in trucking. I'm grateful to all who have shared their knowledge and encouragement about drug usage and how it pertains to the trucking industry and life in general.

I have a very strong work ethic. To get fired from a job is a terrible burden for me to deal with not to mention the safety aspect of being impaired while driving. Knowing that the DOT is going to be my accountability partner in keeping me on the straight and narrow and the fact that I have a huge amount of personal pride in getting the job done right are 2 huge factors in helping to turn my life around. Extra special thanks to the Man above.

B.J. Moose

B.J. that was a very honest and admirable post you just made. I really commend you for being so forthright about your situation and you can be certain we're pullin for ya 100%! Thanks for sharing that. I know there's a lot of people who will be able to relate to what you're saying in a big way and they'll also very much appreciate it.

But a situation like that is much different from the many we see. I understand the OP's point. It annoys and frightens me too.

How many times have we seen "what I do on my hometime is no one's business"? It makes me laugh that you can't get a job at McDonald's now without a drug test, but somehow some of these people with their righteous indignation defend a lifestyle which can harm or kill othesr when combined with trucking.

I get upset when I see the truckstop reviews that say "this place sucks... no beer". Hello!!!! I don't want this person driving on the road with me. Some of the comments people make are kinda like.. "I just smoked yesterday. .. how long do I have to go without it .. and will I get tested again later or can I use one I pass the test". It's selfish and dangerous. I think this OP was.geared more to that type of thing than someone truly interested in changing himself for the better.

But a situation like that is much different from the many we see

Who is this "we" you speak of? Because that's certainly not a problem we have here on this site. Maybe you mean other trucking forums or the CB or Trucker Path or something, I'm not sure. But we just don't attract those types here. Once in a great while we get one that stumbles in blindly without realizing the type of people we have here and they start running their mouths. But they quickly find out they're in "the good neighborhood" full of professionals that take their job and their lifestyle quite seriously and go away quickly, usually with a black eye.

We just need to keep sending the right message and expecting more of this generation of drivers.

But a situation like that is much different from the many we see

Who is this "we" you speak of? Because that's certainly not a problem we have here on this site. Maybe you mean other trucking forums or the CB or Trucker Path or something, I'm not sure. But we just don't attract those types here. Once in a great while we get one that stumbles in blindly without realizing the type of people we have here and they start running their mouths. But they quickly find out they're in "the good neighborhood" full of professionals that take their job and their lifestyle quite seriously and go away quickly, usually with a black eye.

We just need to keep sending the right message and expecting more of this generation of drivers.

Yeah... i.meant the ones you/we chase away lol. They are annoying and scary lol

But seriously yeah... other forums, youtube, facebook, trucker path. Even some of the people at orientation. You can't tell me that the original poster and I are the only ones who notice people who say these things. And it makes trucking look bad.

I've actually been shocked cause the drivers I have met for the most part are the most sober people I have ever met. Then some idiot comes along who says "don't give me a lecture about my drug lifestyle. .. I just want to know how to beat the test." Morons.