Drug testing for states

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:23 am

Drug testing is common in the private sector. The courts don't seem to have a problem with it.
Florida now plans to test state employees. It's not going over too well. If it's deemed necessary and allowable in the private sector, how can it be challenged in the public sector? Florida also plans to drug-test welfare recipients. That will certainly crash a bunch of people.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1O4iqkadH
So, let's see; drug testing is "good" for state employees,,,, it's "good" for private sector employees,,,, it's good for recipients of state assistance. That means that it should be good for elected officials too.

GOV [you and me] are broke. GOV is trying mightily to cut away the safety net. Nationwide drug testing for those who rely on money from GOV would be a sure way to cut down expenses. It would push a lot of people right over the edge.
What say you?

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:30 am

Drug testing should only be legal for people employed in positions that make them responsible for the lives of others, like pilots for example.

What's even more egregious in Florida is that the contract for testing was awarded to a company owned by the governor or relatives. Don't remember the exact details, but it's a dirty deal.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:37 am

jkisha wrote:Drug testing should only be legal for people employed in positions that make them responsible for the lives of others, like pilots for example.

What's even more egregious in Florida is that the contract for testing was awarded to a company owned by the governor or relatives. Don't remember the exact details, but it's a dirty deal.

there's something new..........

most of these things, if you "follow the money" are not about public benefit, but, lining someones pocket...........

Trishntek · Post by **Trishntek** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:36 am

I simply shake my head thinking,,,, really?? With everything else going on in the world,,, harshing the mellow of stoners is gonna make the world better? REALLY??

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 9:37 am

Huh? They started doing it on military personnel.
Nose under the tent, that sort of thing.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:02 am

jkisha wrote:Drug testing should only be legal for people employed in positions that make them responsible for the lives of others, like pilots for example.

What's even more egregious in Florida is that the contract for testing was awarded to a company owned by the governor or relatives. Don't remember the exact details, but it's a dirty deal.

The only drug Ive ever used was alcohol..and pot, a few times(hated it). My company liked to test me regularly...They couldnt believe someone could be soo weird naturally. I'd never get behind the wheel of a big rig, under the influence...but this whole testing shit is a little discouraging.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:21 am

I took it for granted while I was in the Navy. Volunteer to serve, volunteer to piss in the cup. Didn't seem odd to me at all.
What I hated was having to monitor the piss days for the females. I was required to witness each void.

Oh yay.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:00 am

AntiM wrote:What I hated was having to monitor the piss days for the females.

So it was more fun monitoring the boys?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:53 am

Why would anyone not taking drugs agree to be tested?

Would you work for a company that doesn't test the ceo, but tests you?

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:39 am

Depends on the wages.

Have had to deal with drug tests most of my life.
Plus don't really want to work with any tweakers, AT ALL.
They drive me nuts.

Box Burner · Post by **Box Burner** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:46 am

AÐ¸d here in Amerika... LaÐ¸d Ð¾f HomelaÐ¸d Sekurity aÐ¸d Social Sekurity Kards, do we have much choice?

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:48 am

not till it's legal

still won't want to work with tweakers though.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:56 am

I talked to the guy that invented drug testing for the government.

He confirmed that most drug tests are inaccurate, to save money.
He told me to refuse testing under certain circumstances, like using allergy medicine.
False testing is really common.
Only gas chromatagraph testing is accurate.

If you don't have the right to be re-tested, you have no control over results at all.
There are lawsuits over false tests and companies that refuse to re-test, costing people jobs and any chance to work elsewhere.

It really isn't an acceptable approach.
I think companies that test, pre-select unacceptable hires and problematic people.
I would work for them.
I would want a shitlosd of money for doing so, compared to an honorable company.

Goathed, people can always be fired or tested for incompetence or behaviour.

If you don't have the right to independent re-testing, you have no rights to your job at all.

chris2010 · Post by **chris2010** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:03 am

gyre wrote:Why would anyone not taking drugs agree to be tested?

Would you work for a company that doesn't test the ceo, but tests you?

I had to be drug tested on my Last 3 jobs. The one company I worked for could test me at random too of they so wished or if there was an on-site accident.

I agree! I think if they are going to make the employee's take the tests they should male the CEO's and everyone in between do the same! But that does not happen, and when you need to work to survive its hard to say I am not going to work there because they don't drug test the CEO.

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:21 am

goathead wrote:not till it's legal

still won't want to work with tweakers though.

Even if all drugs were legal, employers should have the right to fire employees that come to work obviously high. But what people do off the clock is nobody's buiness; which is why I am against random drug test. Even if you smoked a little pot on the weekend, but were totally clearheaded Monday morning, a random drug test would still get you in trouble.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 7:59 am

seems there oughta be a way to test for "under the influence" meaning using in a certain recent time window, like hours.

being high at work, seems not ok, and it should be ok to dis-allow.
but, getting high at home, or weekend, should be none of anyones business.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:14 am

Random testing is very different from for cause.

It's the same as asking an employee if they stole anything that day.

The qustion is why anyone would hire someone that needed to be treated this way, other than a recovering addict.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:38 pm

Fair is fair. If they fire anyone for Pot use, they should fire anyone for alcohol use. There is nothing that you can say bad about pot that isn't even worse with alcohol. Alcohol was easier to tax so, it got the nod. If I have to drive in traffic with people who are high,,,, give me stoners any day, over drunks. Leave pot out of the picture.

socks · Post by **socks** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:06 pm

The only time i will pee into a cup will be for a taste test only

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:37 pm

gyre wrote:If you don't have the right to independent re-testing, you have no rights to your job at all.

At most jobs, you give up a lot of your rights.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:57 pm

jkisha wrote:
goathead wrote:not till it's legal

still won't want to work with tweakers though.

Even if all drugs were legal, employers should have the right to fire employees that come to work obviously high. But what people do off the clock is nobody's buiness; which is why I am against random drug test. Even if you smoked a little pot on the weekend, but were totally clearheaded Monday morning, a random drug test would still get you in trouble.

Make it legal, doesn't matter to me, what they do on the week-end doesn't either.

If your working with me you had better have your shit together, THAT is what matters to me. If you value smoking your dope MORE then you value your job, that makes ME question just what the fuck else don't you give a shit about? Drunks, stoners, whoever, put their lives in danger, and our lives in danger. They should get on down the fucking road. No desire to have to wash the rements of their body off the equipment.

Fact is that it is illegal, if you choice to work for a company that tests, and pop positive, it is YOUR PROBLEM.

You applied, accepted terms of employment, if you don't agree with them, why did you apply?

peterakabob · Post by **peterakabob** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:13 pm

Drug testing IMO, is ok for certain safety-sensitive positions and ones which require a security clearance so your are less likely to be bribed.

HOWEVER, when it comes to pot, they way it is tested for (i.e., THC metabolites in your urine, fat, etc.) is a bunch of crap. You coulda smoked a doobie a week ago and still have a hot pee test even though you aren't stoned at the time.

There is a lot of things fundamentally wrong with this.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:56 pm

If and when it ever becomes legal I wonder if it will change?

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 6:40 am

goathead wrote:
jkisha wrote:
goathead wrote:not till it's legal

still won't want to work with tweakers though.

Even if all drugs were legal, employers should have the right to fire employees that come to work obviously high. But what people do off the clock is nobody's buiness; which is why I am against random drug test. Even if you smoked a little pot on the weekend, but were totally clearheaded Monday morning, a random drug test would still get you in trouble.
Make it legal, doesn't matter to me, what they do on the week-end doesn't either.

If your working with me you had better have your shit together, THAT is what matters to me. If you value smoking your dope MORE then you value your job, that makes ME question just what the fuck else don't you give a shit about? Drunks, stoners, whoever, put their lives in danger, and our lives in danger. They should get on down the fucking road. No desire to have to wash the rements of their body off the equipment.

Fact is that it is illegal, if you choice to work for a company that tests, and pop positive, it is YOUR PROBLEM.

You applied, accepted terms of employment, if you don't agree with them, why did you apply?

Dam I am cranky before I've had my coffee.

can't sit still · Post by **can't sit still** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:33 pm

I've worked around dangerous equipment for most of my life. I've seen guys fighting with forklifts in side a boxcar trying to stab and tip each other. "Stupid" is just as bad as drunk.

This vid is pretty gnarly. It may be actors but, it hurts to watch;

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:46 pm

I think 'and stupid' is required for other things to be an issue.