Pre-Employment Drug Screens

[mcclos10]

Question.  I have not worked for a long time.  I have been a full time student so I have not had to explain my medications to anyone in a long time.  I am now looking for work.  Has anyone had any experiences positive or negative regarding pre-employment drug screens that will obviously come up positive for prescribed drugs?  I know I had to show proof years ago of my prescription and that doesn't bother me I just worry that I may be discriminated against just because of my medication.  I also worry that a company may feel I can't work as sharply or as well as another candidate because the medication is in my system even though for me I don't feel side effects or feel altered mentally just pain relief.  Anything you can share would be great as I am very nervous about having to deal with this.  The positions I would be applying for are professional degreed positions in business.  Thanks!!

[jaciv]

I just went through this, I had a prescription for the medication but my results were sent in as positive. Look up pre-employment drug testing and you will see what happened to me and what I did to get this matter resolved. I was given wrong advise by my employer and MRO. The test being sent in as positive resulted in my termination by the Union.

[Tuckamore]

Last summer I had to have a pre-employment drug test for a PT position and am on narcotics for CP. I told them when I had the test and they said they didn't want to know. However I did informed the person who conducted the interview. I was ready with a note from my physician attesting to what she prescribed for me. I was hired in a professional position. I was never asked for "proof" that I had prescriptions for the narcotics that showed in my drug test. I concluded that the interviewer must have just taken my word.

Sandee is correct, they cannot discriminate against you unless they can prove that  narcotic usage would be an endangerment to you or others in the particular position.

Best of Luck, Tuck

[mcclos10]

Thanks Sandee for your prompt responses!!!  I know and would hope in a perfect world that there would be no problem.  It will be interesting to see what experiences some of the community members may have had.

[sandee1818]

You should not be discriminated as you do have proof of you medical history and prescirptions. Drug test are becoming more and more common and In my opinion if you explain your situation you will be fine.