Federal Drug Testing Laws??

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Need to help a friend out if I can. He's a commercial driver subjest to random drug testing at any time. Problem, guy can't just give a urine sample at the drop of a hat. Seems it is only nerves, but it a real problem for the guy. I think the way of taking samples has something to do with it. Kind of a criminal atmosphere. Women escorts person into toilet where all water sourses are taped shut, standing water is blued, must empty pockets. She waits outside door for him to produce, while others wait in line. Get the picture? Told-give sample or lose your job--now!!

Is there not some law about this that someother test may be ask for such as a blood sample? This guy goes to work thinking if this is the day today.

Any educated comments?

-- Ron (speedstar5558@yahoo.com), November 05, 2001

Answers

I dont know of any federal law the forces commerical drivers to subject themself to drug test at any time. It might be a company policy for drivers.

As for taking the test if it takes 1hr or 4hrs, you wait till its time to go and go tinkle in the cup.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), November 05, 2001.


if he has a commercail drivers license, then they can make him give a sample,, ANYTIME. But if he isnt able to at the moment, ,they have to allow some resonalable time. May not let him return to work,, or even let him leave the area till he does, but yes, thay can make him,, or take away his license

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), November 05, 2001.

Ron, your friend suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder. Mild, from the sounds of things, but a problem for him just the same. Go to Google and do a websearch for Social Anxiety Disorder and see what links you come up with. Hope this helps.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), November 05, 2001.

tell him if he doesn't go in the cup, that woman standing outside will come in and insert a catheter. ; )

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), November 05, 2001.

He better start drinking plenty of water in the mornings before going to work.

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), November 05, 2001.


When I worked for the federal government I showed up on a random drug testing list. Had to pee in the cup with a guy watching. Asked why. Seems like 'clean' urine was selling for about $20 a pint in the area. It would be put in a used IV bottle under one arm with the tube running down to the pubic area.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 05, 2001.

When the time comes to do the test, he should know right away if he can go or not. If he can't, all he has to do is say he needs to sit & drink (water, soda, tea, etc...) before he can go, & ask if he can be last (drinking while he waits). If he still has a problem, well they will just have to wait on him to go. Also, they can't make him go with a female present (since it sounds like the driver might be a guy), so tell him to ask for a guy. And if it is a condition (mental, medical, etc...) have him talk to a doctor about it.

good luck

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jawjlewis@netzero.net), November 06, 2001.


Lots of places require drug testing--the military, for example. If you are told in advance about the test, it is of no value because sometimes you can evade it.

As to why you're being watched, it also is to prove the sample came from you and was not contaminated in some other fashion.

I don't want someone on drugs causing a major freeway accident.

-- GT (nospam@nsopam.com), November 06, 2001.


Well, I just wonder how Random, random is! My hubby has his CDL (commercial driver's license, not California heehee!) Anyway...he has had "random" drug testing done at least 4 times! The strongest stuff he ever takes is a Dr. Pepper every morning so his bosses always new he would be clean! Seems like the companys that he worked for "chose" him to be tested! They knew that some of the other guys would not pass maybe? No one ever was in there when he went into the bathroom. Not very reliable in this case I would think!!!!!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 07, 2001.

Interesting.

The observer for a male driver is a female? Sounds like something isn't right here. The only time I've had an 'observered' test it was male _w_ male.

I think there could be some sexual harassment overtones in this situation.

I think a call to the CDL issuing agency is in order. What do they require? Is the company going beyond the agency's recommendations and looking for some easy ways to reduce their 'costs' ?

"Oh he's giving us problems with doing the drug test, must be a user , fire him"

Strange days indeed.

-- xraybob (dontwatchme@go.org), November 07, 2001.



Seems to me that you should have the option of the blood testing. I know that it is more expensive for the company....but it is much more accurate. We have a friend on the police force that had to have it done pretty often. He used to not be able to eat anything with poppy seeds in it, but now he can because the tests have changed.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 07, 2001.

I always forget what I was going to say when I start rattling.....anyway....I was wondering if it were possible to see if the company policy would allow for the blood test instead?

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 07, 2001.

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