Bummer Dude II

Man, I believe in full disclosure BUT there are (evidently) limits . . . well, I injured my elbow back on the ninth of April and went to the emergency room because pain . . . WARNING!! just a second - I'll explain . . . anyway, the doc put a splint on my arm, gave me some pain meds (sample of 6 pills - no prescription) and I went home and slept through he night. Jump forward to the DOT test here at Primes's orientation . . . since you want to be upfront as much as possible I brought a note from the ER nurse explaining that I was given 6 tablets or Norco (the pain killer) and I gave it to the technician when I was doing the drug test. I wanted to make sure if it showed up that I had covered my bases. Well, guess I covered them TOO well. There is a DOT reg (here' comes the explanation of the WARNING!) that states a person MAY NOT drive a commercial vehicle for THIRTY days after ingesting a drug containing narcotics (remember the 6 pain killer tabs?) Guess what . . . they are sending me home until 30 days have past since I last ingested the drug (the night of the ER visit) and I have to have a note from the doctor stating there is no standing perscription for the drug as well (never was one - they gave me a sample at the ER to take home) . . . SOOOO, I agree we need to be as upfront as possible about matters of concern but do think about (or discuss with others) what the possible repercussions or side effects might be from divulging more info than may be necessary . . . MORE IMPORTANT (and I wish my recruiter would have warned me) remember, NO DRIVING A CV for thirty days after the last use of any medicine containing a narcotic (there are probably other types of drugs onn the list as well) . . . I will be able to rejoin the Prime students AFTER the 9th of May and so I willl do so . . . not the end of the world but definately a bummer, dude . . .

Jopa

Sorry to hear that Jopa. You would think that company's would do some sort of medical pre-screen/questionnaire before sending students out for training. Still, it seems being up front is better than popping positive for a narcotic on a test and having bigger problems than a 2-3 week delay. Stay positive, I am sure your patience and faith will pay off and you will be in a big rig in no time.

Jopa, man I'm sorry to hear that! But you can hold your head high - you did the right thing by disclosing the information. You're "mature" enough to know that sometimes doing the right thing costs you, but still honor is a crown that doesn't fade no matter the effects of time. I don't know if you've ever read about my struggles to get started, but I got sent home three different times, so I not only know how you feel, but can extend my sincerest empathy to you. Hang in there, you're gonna be just fine - it's just a little bump in the road when you consider the big picture. Besides, we'll enjoy having you hanging around the forum for a few more weeks before you hit the road running.

Unfortunately, and I hate to say this cuz you seem like an awesome dude, but this situation should have been avoided altogether.

You knew at the time that you were going to be taking drug tests soon and you took those pain killers anyhow, and without a prescription. I don't know how that didn't throw up a huge red flag right away knowing how strict the DOT regulations are about allowable medications. A few minutes of Googling the name of that drug or a quick call to a DOT physician would have told you it contains a narcotic and that there's a 30 day ban on driving after taking it. So the idea that you took a narcotic without a prescription shortly before taking a DOT drug test that you knew was coming is really kind of a knuckleheaded move on your part.

And you had to disclose that you took those pills. It most likely would have shown up on the drug test. And even if it hadn't.....what if they had found out you had taken those pills without disclosing it? It certainly asks you on the forms you fill out before the DOT exam if you're taking or have recently taken any sort of medications. If you had said no and then it showed up on the test you wouldn't be coming back in a few weeks, you would have been let go altogether. So it probably saved your job by disclosing it.

I knew when you had originally mentioned those pain killers that it might come back to bite you. Not having a prescription worried me. Knowing that pain pills are notoriously disallowed by DOT worried me even more.

Well thankfully you were honest with them or this could have turned out a whole lot worse. It's a good lesson for sure about how careful you have to be when it comes to protecting your driving career and that CDL. Something that seems rather insignificant may turn out to be a career-changing (or ending) situation.

Is there a good reference to look that rule up? I had no clue there was 30 day waiting period after taking a narcotic (prescribed or otherwise) and am now wondering what else I am unaware of.

I think the Recruiter should have been a little more on the BALL with this but I am glad to know you still get to come back to Prime Inc and finish the PSD in 2 weeks....See you in the Café around dinner

Ken

Sorry to hear that Jopa. I am surprised they make you wait 30 days too.

Sorry to hear that Jopa. I am surprised they make you wait 30 days too.

Its not Prime. Its just the regulations. Companies must follow.

A few minutes of Googling the name of that drug or a quick call to a DOT physician would have told you it contains a narcotic and that there's a 30 day ban on driving after taking it. So the idea that you took a narcotic without a prescription shortly before taking a DOT drug test that you knew was coming is really kind of a knuckleheaded move on your part.

It seems more clear in retrospect but before hand I was really just concerned with making sure I had the proper documentation that I had the tabs legitimately just in case a drug screen showed them in my system. At the time I hadn't been able to sleep a wink because of the pain and so I don't think I considered any repercussions thoroughly . . . all is well that ends well so I think I'll treat it like a bump in the road. Having pretty well exhausted my resources to get here, I decided that since it is my nickle I will be traveling on I would be better off finding a cheap place locally for the rest of the 30 days (only 16 days left) instead of traveling back and forth from California. Then I'll already be here when I can start the next class . . . thanks for all of your support . . . common sense can be elusive and I will be much more diligent in considering decisions I make in the future . . .

Jopa

Hmm.

Note to self:

If I ever get hurt, screw the meds and get a couple of 5ths of a good bourbon, and DRINK the pain away. It'll never show up on a drug screen, and you'll be ready to drive once you can get up from the porcelain throne! Albeit, that might be a few days away!