Shown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by utopizen on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:19
I take Desoxyn (d-methamphetamine) along with Aricept, Evoxac, Klonopin Wafers, Prilosec, and Lexapro.
I recently interviewed for a job at a major financial company.
Since it's a financial company, it's naturally going to have drug screening. This is new to me, because I am coming from having only worked in publishing.
I don't need to preach to the choir here, but I think what is missing from these drug screening debates is the fact that it does screen for drugs that are widely prescribed (e.g., amphetamines).
So it places the burden of proof on me to supply information from my doctor to explain to them not only to expect me to take meth during work, but to HOPE I take meth during work... as to do work in the first place. And _that's_ assuming it'll work.
(It does, but hopefully some of you are enjoying my Jack Black-ish diatribe here).
Anyhow, the reality is I'm not looking for similiar diatribes (we all feel the same way) but pragmatic possibilities to do the little I can to prepare for the test... I'm planning to call my doctor prior to taking it. He certainly has had to document this matter in his history...In an ideal world, a workaround that would protect my privacy would be as follows:
1) I would first get to have my attorney to review the employment new hire agreements.
2) My lawyer would fax over an amendment to the release papers, which my prospective employer's lawyers would sign. This amendment would basically say the company agrees to have the attorney and my doctor alone receive the results of the drug test.
3) My doctor would confer with my attorney, verify the drug results, and determine whether I passed or failed the drug test.
4) My attorney would then proceed to either report back to the company with a statement asserting I have passed the drug test, or if not, my attorney would tell me I didn't and either request another test or advise me to look at a company that doesn't screen...
5) My medical history wouldn't be on file at the most gossipy people in all of the company, Human Resources.
6) It also wouldn't have my doctor's letter and duplicate copies made with legal counsel, my boss, my hiring agency, and god-- I don't want to know how many hands this thing gets to cc'd over to.
7) Being this an ideal world, after all, any company who's willing to do pre-employment drug screening oughta have a sample of my urine stored and within range of any copies dealing with this issue.
This will make it less likely for gossipy HR girls wanting to open these filing cabinets up when they decide to stalk me.
Posted by ronaldo on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:20
In reply to Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by utopizen on November 12, 2006, at 9:20:41
Wouldn't it be easier just to work at a hamburger stall or something, even working for the CIA has got to be easier than working for these goons. How about working the subway lifting excess finance from the pockets and purses of the indecently affluent?
....ronaldo
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:20
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing » utopizen, posted by ronaldo on November 12, 2006, at 9:32:47
Sounds rather comfusing to me as in drug screens all I had to do was supply the prescription bottles for the meds that were prescribed and people take pills all day whether for blood pressure, stomach problems or even psych meds. Love Phillipa
Posted by utopizen on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:20
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2006, at 11:08:51
> Sounds rather comfusing to me as in drug screens all I had to do was supply the prescription bottles for the meds that were prescribed and people take pills all day whether for blood pressure, stomach problems or even psych meds. Love Phillipa
>did you get to do this directly through the drug screening co., or to the employer?
Posted by notfred on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:20
In reply to Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by utopizen on November 12, 2006, at 9:20:41
So it places the burden of proof on me to supply information from my doctor to explain to them not only to expect me to take meth during work, but to HOPE I take meth during work... as to do work in the first place. And _that's_ assuming it'll work.
Hardly. In the drug tests i have done the lab only reports if you were positive to something. You provide proof to your emypoyment. Labs will not assume the liability of deciding if your reasons are legit or not.You do not heve to tell anyone **what** you are taking or **why**. Don't show anyone your meds. Get a note from your doc that says:
Fred is under my treatment and takes a medication prescribed by me which will casue a postivite test
for amphetamines.
that is all you need to disclose.**Never** show work your meds, you do not have to disclose what you are taking nor do they have to know what condition you have.
I always mention to the lab that I have a note from my doc indicating I will test positive and ask what is the procedure. Mostly they just say to discuss this with the employer but sometimes they will give you the results first, so you only have to produce a note if you test positive.
Posted by bassman on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:20
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 12, 2006, at 13:14:04
Sounds like good advice. I'd word it "Fred is under my treatment and takes a medication prescribed by me which MAY cause a positive test for amphetamines" That revels even less information...and less is more. Short diatribe: if you had a bad back and were taking meds for that, no one would care.
Posted by notfred on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:20
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by bassman on November 12, 2006, at 17:54:06
> Sounds like good advice. I'd word it "Fred is under my treatment and takes a medication prescribed by me which MAY cause a positive test for
>Good idea.
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:21
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 12, 2006, at 18:02:45
Why did they always tell me to bring my prescription bottles with me? And the lab just told the employer if I was okay. This was in nursing. I'd think it would be real important there. I was always on a benzo with just showing the bottle? Love Phillipa
Posted by notfred on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:21
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2006, at 19:13:29
> Why did they always tell me to bring my prescription bottles with me? And the lab just told the employer if I was okay. This was in nursing. I'd think it would be real important there. I was always on a benzo with just showing the bottle? Love Phillipa
The point is no one has to disclose what meds they are on to pass a drug test. Nor do they have to disclose any other medical info. It is a bad idea to advise people to disclose their personal information.
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:21
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 12, 2006, at 19:26:55
I agree not arguing with you but they said I had to all the places I worked? Why? Love Jan
Posted by notfred on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:21
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing » notfred, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2006, at 19:52:31
> I agree not arguing with you but they said I had to all the places I worked? Why? Love Jan
Perhaps because the lab and your employeer were the same person ? ie the hospital. If they told you
you must do this they violated HIPPA and a number of
other regs.
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:21
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 12, 2006, at 20:00:17
Oh that explains it . In the last l5 years or so it was either their lab or I haven't been working since Hippa started. The stupid Hippa says they will not share info but they contradict themselves on the form . Did you really ever read one? I did I used to do malpractice too so I pick up on things. Love Phillipa
Posted by notfred on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:21
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing » notfred, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2006, at 21:38:22
> Oh that explains it . In the last l5 years or so it was either their lab or I haven't been working since Hippa started. The stupid Hippa says they will not share info but they contradict themselves on the form . Did you really ever read one? I did I used to do malpractice too so I pick up on things. Love Phillipa
It is all over if you are in an HMO. I pay out of pocket for my pdoc some I can get some privacy, amoung other things.Still, I would stop showing to bottles and get a docs note. I understand the medical field has issues with letting the MI work for them. Best to give them as little info as possible.
Posted by bassman on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:22
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 13, 2006, at 2:48:42
One place where less is definitely more; good point. Maybe the note should read,” Fred is under my treatment and may take a medication prescribed by me which may cause a positive test for amphetamines; or it may not. I am a doctor and Fred might be my patient. Or maybe not" :>}
Another place you don't want your meds disclosed is life insurance, come to find out. I'm in excellent health except for panic disorder (I guess that's like saying a bowling ball is in perfect condition, other than it doesn't have any holes in it). Anyway, what with the suicide rate of PD patients being 14 times that of the general population, etc. it would have probably been better if they had found out I had leprosy. Luckily, it didn't matter, but I did find out the problems that info can cause…
Posted by fca on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:22
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by bassman on November 13, 2006, at 7:26:09
notfred--I am not sure you but I strongly believe you are wrong--Employers have a right to ask you to disclose medications which you take--this is often done as part of securing a new group insurance rating and is done as part of preemployment, random and for cause testing. I believe most companies arrange for this to be done by an independent company and the employer does not know the test results--also, on group ratings the insurance company collects the information but it may be collected by the employer. The company I run does not directly collect the information but last year both our attorney and the union's attorney were unequivocal in agreeing on management's right to collect medical information fore purposes of insurance ratings. I applaud the poster for the thoroughness of the process he designed but as a practical matter it seems excessive and will only red flag him. As an employer of 380 people we certainly expect that persons will be taking a variety of prescription drugs that may cause positive findings. I have never heard of an employer who has not hired some one because they tested positive if they had a prescription. I am sure it happens but I would guess it is extremely rare. Good Luck
Posted by bassman on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:23
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by fca on November 13, 2006, at 11:44:02
I guess it must be different from company to company and state to state. NJ, for example, specifically prohibits health insurance rates based on the health status of the insured; group or individual rates. Which is cool, but the rates end up being high. The two major companies I've worked for didn't ask for ANY medical info prior to being part of group health; there was just a 3 month waiting period.
Posted by notfred on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by fca on November 13, 2006, at 11:44:02
In all the states I have worked in you do not have to give them any medical info if you sign up during a the grace period, usually first 90 days of employment. Preexisting conditions do not apply. After that they will only take you (or not) based on medical history. This is for medical insurance, which is not drug testing. The 2 are way different.
In shopping for a new medical insurance coverage employers sometime send out forms asking for medical info, but you do not provide SS# or name.
This is for medical insurance, which is not drug testing. The 2 are way different.
Posted by fca on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 13, 2006, at 13:38:18
You are right, in a group plan you do not need to provide individual medical info during "open enrollment" or as a new employee. However, when an employer is seeking bids for group insurance I can tell you that insurance companies can (and do) require medical disclosure on existing employees including use of prescription drugs. That does not mean they all require it but it can be a requirement if you want competitive quotes and an employer can require an employee provide the information.
You are correct that drug testing and insurance rating are very different processes and covered by different laws. After searching the web you may be right that in some states employers can not require disclosure of prescription drugs as part of testing but then the findings of the testing could prevail. Many states require that the employer must provide for the opportunity for disclosure. The references I reviewed were more focused on ADA violations that HIPPA--I am guessing that it is because there has been more litigation and test cases regarding ADA than HIPPA--Who knows Thanks fca
Posted by notfred on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by fca on November 13, 2006, at 14:45:21
After searching the web you may be right that in some states employers can not require disclosure of prescription drugs as part of testing but then the findings of the testing could prevail.
A doctors note would do just fine for this. Please incicate what state law(s) that require disclosure of precise meds you take, for a drug test.
Posted by fca on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 13, 2006, at 15:43:28
I am not aware of any State Law(s) that require disclosure of prescription drugs as part of testing--The issue which I raised was the employer's right to request disclosure as part of testing--I assume you are correct that a physician's note that indicated they had prescribed a drug that would cause false positives might be sufficient--It seems cumbersome but.....fca Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by bassman on November 13, 2006, at 12:09:54
That's how it was when I worked in the hospitals. But we needed to be clean of illicit drugs. Benzos and others were fine but seriously they wanted to see the Rx bottle. And no one knew unless you failed then it was reported no to can work to human resources. If clean you could prove a doc prescribed the med a clean bill of health. And here if you leave your job and keep your insurance through Cobra you can't be denied insurance based on preexisiting conditions. Just no lapses in insurance inbetween. Love Phillipa. I've worked in Connecticut, Virginia, and North Carolina and it was the same. And at hospitals the premiums were pennies for what you received.
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by bassman on November 13, 2006, at 12:09:54
Bassman reason I addressed it to you was that it was the same for me. I just added the Cobra part.Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 18, 2006, at 18:03:24
In reply to Re: Pre-Employment Drug Test Screening: Preparing, posted by notfred on November 13, 2006, at 2:48:42
To everyone great informative thread thanks. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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