Refused Drug Test

Worked for Swift 8 months and i got drug tested on 3/21/2017 i tried to use synthetic pee but it didn't work. I knew marijuana was going to show up, so i left the clinic all together. Lost my job and now everyone is saying to take a SAP class (substance abuse professional). Has anyone ever heard of a driver getting another trucking job after the SAP class has been completed? I'm 22 years old and made a really dumb decision in my life.

Personally, I think SAP is a joke, but it's your only chance of moving forward. The problem with it is that very few people who go through it ever get hired again.

You can absolutely forget about this career if you don't go through it.

Here's what I would do...

Go through the program, and quit your thinking you can game the system - that clearly didn't work!

Then try like crazy to find some company that will hire you. I don't think any of the large carriers will touch you, but try them all. Then scour Craig's list for some small company that will take you. If (big if) you land a job, stay away from the smoke and bust your butt for a couple of good straight years of productive safe driving. At that point maybe someone will take a chance on you.

That is the bed you made... I'm sorry you have to sleep in it, but I'll say this: Some of the best things I've accomplished or learned in life were done the hard way. Embrace your mistake. Own it, and conquer it. If you want to drive a truck you will have to climb that steep hill. All the shortcuts have been exhausted for you.

Worked for Swift 8 months and i got drug tested on 3/21/2017 i tried to use synthetic pee but it didn't work. I knew marijuana was going to show up, so i left the clinic all together.

We'll start out with the spanking first.

You were already driving for a company, knew you could be dropped at any time - and smoked weed ANYWAY? Most folks would opine that you don't deserve to get a driving job back - because it obviously wasn't important enough for you to STAY CLEAN.

Bad enough people walk into an orientation, knowing they're going to be tested - and KNOWING THEY'RE DIRTY, is one thing. But to be already driving, and risk career loss by using (and even dreaming they might be able to get away with it with "fake pee") - goes beyond the pale.

Now - not judging weed smokers in general. It's relatively harmless, and has many legitimate medicinal uses - for for a CDL Driver - ein ist verbotten.

Now - as far as SAP/Return To Duty Protocol works - this website gives some pretty good details on how it works.

Here's the rub though.

You WILL have a failed DOT Drug Screen on your DAC , and Swift is REQUIRED BY LAW to report it to any subsequent employer you apply to.

SAP process is not covered by insurance, and is NOT CHEAP.

Completing a SAP is still NO GUARANTEE you will get a hire immediately upon completion. Especially at your level of (in)experience. Most companies want to see anywhere from 1-3 year since a failed Drug Screen, before they will even want to talk to you.

Now - if you were with a company for a number of years, and were an (otherwise) problem-free, good producing driver - they might be a little more forgiving. But with less than a year behind the wheel, and failing a RANDOM - on't expect much forgiveness.

So the need to rush into doing SAP RIGHT NOW - with the hope of getting back behind the wheel right away, is NOT GOOD.

Start thinking about what else you want to do for a living, for at least a year (if not more) - then, if you want to spend the $$ for a SAP, consider it.

Another thing you can do - is call Swift HR and ask if they will take you back after completing a SAP. A refusal is ALMOST WORSE than a dirty, because they have NO IDEA what you were actually using. You could have been back shooting heroin, or smoking meth in the sleeper for all they know.

Rick

We also have a couple of great sources of information on the SAP process:

• Trucker's Wiki: Drug Test Failure And Return To Duty Process
• TruckingTruth Blog: What Happens If I Fail A DOT Drug Or Alcohol Test?