Drug tests one barrier for Eagle Ford job seekers

Fuel Fix ^ | August 27, 2012 | Vicki Vaughan

[catnipman]

“If you are prescribed pain killers by a doctor, and you take and naturally fail a drug test, would the fact that you have a prescription make a difference in hiring?”

An even more interesting question is what happens if you flunk a marijuana test in Colorado, where unfortunately, a constitutional amendment passed by the voters “legalized” “medical” marijuana. On the other hand, marijuana is still a felony under Federal law, even though our Commie-in-Chief publicly repudiated his sworn oath of office to uphold Federal law by announcing marijuana laws in Colorado wouldn’t be enforced.

Nonetheless, there are numerous Federal requirements still in effect that require certain employers maintain a drug-free workplace, and even state law does not require employers to make an exception for so-called “medical” marijuana users. Thus, while “medical” marijuana may be “legal” under state law in Colorado, employers can (and in many cases must) deny employment if marijuana is detected via drug testing.

[AppyPappy]

Ironically, the applicant knows they have to take a drug test and they can’t stay away from drugs long enough to show clean on the test.
But they don’t have a problem with drugs.

[AppyPappy]

Every drug test I ever took asked for a list of prescription drugs being taken.

[AppyPappy]

Our “pee” tests only showed very recent drug use, up to 13 days but usually not that far. Drugs don’t stay in the system that long.

[thackney]

Other than being an indicator of past usage, specific to recreational drugs like pot, 30 days prior use does not affect performance and safety.

I take the point is shows a lack of judgement from someone wanting to work in an industry known to test for it. If you don't have that level of self control, or if this was a short-term passing whim to apply for the job, then I don't want to and will not hire you.

[thackney]

Like many other areas of how life has evolved in America, many things have evolved from over-reaction to a problem. We need to return to more common sense approaches in many areas not to mention political. The Austrialian “swab” drug test seems more common sensicle.

From my standpoint, it is indicative of the massive problem they have finding enough qualified people. There are quite a lot of companies that advertise in the US to bring people to the Australian oil/gas industry. I don't think that is typical in reverse.

[Lazamataz]

A girl where I worked tried to use her dogs pee

Doctor: "The good news is, you're clean. The bad news is, you are about to have a litter of pups, you have mange, and fleas. You've been a very bad girl." (swats her on nose with newspaper)

[PLMerite]

Okay, how many people reading the headline thought “Egale Ford” was a car dealership ?

[PLMerite]

Okay, how many people reading the headline thought “Eagle Ford” was a car dealership ? No, I’m not on drugs, I just can’t type.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

Our “pee” tests only showed very recent drug use, up to 13 days but usually not that far. Drugs don’t stay in the system that long.

It's common to test for inert metabolic byproducts of THC, which can stay in one's system for up to 30 days - long after the high is gone.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

It’s a major problem out here in West TX also, along with alcohol abuse. Had a major issue with Robinson Drilling last year, the trail of beer cans and ligour bottles going to and from the rig got them kicked out of an 8 well package. Now it looks like their going to be shut down due to accidents, two have already been killed this year and constant visits to the ER are the norm. My wifes the director of the ER. The oilfield is a dangerous place where a mistake can cost you and others their life, ain’t no room for drugs or alcohol.

I wonder if anyone is screening for alcohol use.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

Unfortunately, often the pleasant, well-liked ones we wanted to make Permanent, flunked the drug test.

I have no idea what that means

It means that, contrary to the ravings of the Drug Warriors, off-the-job illicit drug use no more dooms one to on-the-job ineffectiveness than does off-the-job use of the legal drug alcohol.

[AppyPappy]

A google search shows 13 days is the norm for a pee test.

[AppyPappy]

They only screen for current use. Alcohol leaves the system so quickly.

[skinkinthegrass]

"even here in central KY the company I work for rejects a
significant number of applicants due to failed drug tests."agree..many prospective/current employees are caught in
that personality trap...we lost 30± of them, a few years ago.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

It's common to test for inert metabolic byproducts of THC, which can stay in one's system for up to 30 days - long after the high is gone.

A google search shows 13 days is the norm for a pee test.

I Googled urine test days, and the first result (#5 - http://www.drugtestingnetwork.com/urine-testing.htm) that wasn't about how to beat a test said this:

Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana) Detection Time:
1 time only	5-8 days
2-4x per month	11-18 days
2-4x per week	23-35 days
5-6x per week	33-48 days
Daily	49-63 days

[spokeshave]

Not wanting to argue with the safety premise, but the usual “pee” test gives results for past 30 days use. Other than being an indicator of past usage, specific to recreational drugs like pot, 30 days prior use does not affect performance and safety. This point is not about harder, more dibilitating and longer effecting drugs.

I think that the "Hair Test" goes back 6 months, and is comprehensive in terms of looking for various drugs.

[CSM]

A couple of years ago I was moving some production from Mexico to Ohio and the new supplier was making the same claim. Their Plant Manager tried to tell me that their “drug test” failure rate was so high that they couldn’t fill all of the open positions and therefore could not ramp up to meet my demands. So, I went to their plant to look at their mfg lines and try to improve their throughput.

I walked up to the front door and they had a handwritten sign (in what looked like child writing) that stated, “if you are here to apply for a job and use tobacco products, don’t bother. The drug test includes tobacco.”

Well, duh, when you start testing for LEGAL drugs, you will have a high rate of failure. Especially, when you are in the middle of farm country and trying to hire during baling season....Those farmers chew a lot of snuff when they are working their a$$es into the ground!

I told the plant manager he was a moron and the british stooge tried to hold up the UK health ins model as his preferred methodology....to bad it was to late to move that business..

What is the point of my story? Hmm, well I am dubious of any high rate of “drug test” failures, at least until I know what substances are being included in the testing methodology. That said, I don’t doubt that many perpetually unemployable folks are not willing to give up their drugs for 1-3 months.

[CSM]

“A girl where I worked tried to use her dogs pee. Didn’t work.”

I can’t imagine the sight of her wandering around in her back yard chasing fido with a cup!

[AppyPappy]

Yeah but I think the source was selling the test. When we were tested, they asked us “What have you taken in the last two weeks?”. It was a random test.
Ironically, we were tested to show “solidarity” with the factory workers. Several problem employees were eliminated, leading us to believe that the results were ignored for valued employees.