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> I hear drugs is a big problem with applicants Possible legalisation of drugs and stuff around that is a matter of interest for me, so if you can elaborate o

> I hear drugs is a big problem with applicants Possible legalisation of drugs and stuff around that is a matter of interest for me, so if you can elaborate on that I'd appreciate it.

jartelt 7y ago
Many physical labor jobs require applicants to take a drug test and breathalyzer on their first day of work. For some reason, a fair number of workers do not realize this and end up failing one of the tests and get fired on the first day.
refurb 7y ago
Since welding is a hazardous occupation, safety is a big concern. As such, they drug test workers on a regular basis. If you fail, you get fired. Even if drugs were legalized, this would still happen.
- tempguy9999 7y ago
  "Even if drugs were legalized, this would still happen" - that's what I was after. Thanks.
  - refurb 7y ago
    Maybe I should temper my response. They test for drugs because being under the influence of drugs (including alcohol) is a safety hazard. I suppose if tests were developed that could differentiate between "I'm intoxicated" and "I smoked on my day off", the situation could change.
    - hansjorg 7y ago
      There's a Y Combinator startup for that: https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/13/y-combinator-bets-on-a-startup-building-a-weed-breathalyzer-for-cops/ https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/13/y-combinator-bets-on-a-sta...
    - protomyth 7y ago
      I'm hoping for the marijuana legalization people that test happens because get the feeling that DUI is going to be a problem.
      - tempguy9999 7y ago
        Although I'm arguably pro legalisation I have problems with this. It assumes drugs = MJ, and from observation I'd say alcohol is a more dangerous drug in the way it disinhibits more risky behaviour than MJ - but there should never, ever be use of any drugs, legal or illegal, that can affect someone when they do potentially dangerous work. I think we can all agree on that. My bigger problem with legalisation is my experience of the utter fucking stupidity that suddenly manifests when drugs are present. Responsible use just does not seem part of many people's nature. I include legal drugs like alcohol in that. --- Bit of info, more FYI than actually relevant to the point here, but interesting: a mate of mine works in the office of a largish UK company. He mentioned that there is drug testing for him and others in the office, at which point I predictably blew my top, assuming it's fucking intrusive American working practices come with American companies trying to spread fucking witless American drug policies over the world (and that is real problem IMO). Hold on, said my mate, and pointed out that the company has a sizeable workforce that goes out to fix heavy, moving infrastructure under risky conditions. Drug testing is necessary under those conditions, agreed? And if they test them, the company can hardly make an exemption for the office staff, right? Couldn't agree more.
        pas 7y ago
        .. why can't they only test those who do field work?
        tempguy9999 7y ago
        Because it would be grossly unfair. Very likely illegal too.
        pas 7y ago
        Why would it be unfair? This is a simple cost-benefit risk management. Of course testing people has some cost (harder to find employees, privacy concerns, bad PR, the actual cost of the testing and management of testing), of course if someone fucks up that has an even bigger cost usually, so preventing fuckup while high seems to have a big positive cost-benefit. Okay, then simply get a threshold and look at the risk involved for each individual role/position and test those that are above.
    - hnuser123456 7y ago
      The brain remains slowed for several days after the high wears off.
      - tempguy9999 7y ago
        Oh, post some bloody evidence will you. Whenever drugs get raised someone comes along and makes unbacked blanket statements like this that don't help. If you're going to say something potentially very useful, at least back it up.
        hnuser123456 7y ago
        Source: years of personal experience
- lostlogin 7y ago
  There are obviously issues with having drugged workers in dangerous environments. There are other professions which have problems with substance abuse but which take an approach that is more focused on rehabilitation. I have heard of this occurring for dentists and medical doctors but I haven’t heard of drug testing all practitioners and can’t imagine the uproar such a proposal would cause.
chrisdhoover 7y ago
Restaurants and construction were for years the only places ex cons could find work. If those go away from overzealous screening where will those folks find work?
- stjohnswarts 7y ago
  Maybe they can lay off the cocaine for a few days then? If I were a restaurant owner I wouldn't bat an eyelash at a positive MJ result though. I definitely don't want coke/meth heads though.
  - tempguy9999 7y ago
    Parent said ex-cons. If they're 'laying the cocaine for a few days' they're still ex-cons, and no more employable. > I definitely don't want coke/meth heads though. Why do you think that is worse than MJ? I know a guy who uses meth and he's reliable and can hold down a job. Have you any reason to hold that view other than from anti-drug propaganda? (not intended as snark)

> I hear drugs is a big problem with applicants Possible legalisation of drugs and stuff around that is a matter of interest for me, so if you can elaborate on that I'd appreciate it.

jartelt 7y ago

Many physical labor jobs require applicants to take a drug test and breathalyzer on their first day of work. For some reason, a fair number of workers do not realize this and end up failing one of the tests and get fired on the first day.

refurb 7y ago

Since welding is a hazardous occupation, safety is a big concern. As such, they drug test workers on a regular basis. If you fail, you get fired. Even if drugs were legalized, this would still happen.

tempguy9999 7y ago
"Even if drugs were legalized, this would still happen" - that's what I was after. Thanks.
- refurb 7y ago
  Maybe I should temper my response. They test for drugs because being under the influence of drugs (including alcohol) is a safety hazard. I suppose if tests were developed that could differentiate between "I'm intoxicated" and "I smoked on my day off", the situation could change.
  - hansjorg 7y ago
    There's a Y Combinator startup for that: https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/13/y-combinator-bets-on-a-startup-building-a-weed-breathalyzer-for-cops/ https://techcrunch.com/2019/08/13/y-combinator-bets-on-a-sta...
  - protomyth 7y ago
    I'm hoping for the marijuana legalization people that test happens because get the feeling that DUI is going to be a problem.
    - tempguy9999 7y ago
      Although I'm arguably pro legalisation I have problems with this. It assumes drugs = MJ, and from observation I'd say alcohol is a more dangerous drug in the way it disinhibits more risky behaviour than MJ - but there should never, ever be use of any drugs, legal or illegal, that can affect someone when they do potentially dangerous work. I think we can all agree on that. My bigger problem with legalisation is my experience of the utter fucking stupidity that suddenly manifests when drugs are present. Responsible use just does not seem part of many people's nature. I include legal drugs like alcohol in that. --- Bit of info, more FYI than actually relevant to the point here, but interesting: a mate of mine works in the office of a largish UK company. He mentioned that there is drug testing for him and others in the office, at which point I predictably blew my top, assuming it's fucking intrusive American working practices come with American companies trying to spread fucking witless American drug policies over the world (and that is real problem IMO). Hold on, said my mate, and pointed out that the company has a sizeable workforce that goes out to fix heavy, moving infrastructure under risky conditions. Drug testing is necessary under those conditions, agreed? And if they test them, the company can hardly make an exemption for the office staff, right? Couldn't agree more.
      - pas 7y ago
        .. why can't they only test those who do field work?
        tempguy9999 7y ago
        Because it would be grossly unfair. Very likely illegal too.
        pas 7y ago
        Why would it be unfair? This is a simple cost-benefit risk management. Of course testing people has some cost (harder to find employees, privacy concerns, bad PR, the actual cost of the testing and management of testing), of course if someone fucks up that has an even bigger cost usually, so preventing fuckup while high seems to have a big positive cost-benefit. Okay, then simply get a threshold and look at the risk involved for each individual role/position and test those that are above.
  - hnuser123456 7y ago
    The brain remains slowed for several days after the high wears off.
    - tempguy9999 7y ago
      Oh, post some bloody evidence will you. Whenever drugs get raised someone comes along and makes unbacked blanket statements like this that don't help. If you're going to say something potentially very useful, at least back it up.
      - hnuser123456 7y ago
        Source: years of personal experience
lostlogin 7y ago
There are obviously issues with having drugged workers in dangerous environments. There are other professions which have problems with substance abuse but which take an approach that is more focused on rehabilitation. I have heard of this occurring for dentists and medical doctors but I haven’t heard of drug testing all practitioners and can’t imagine the uproar such a proposal would cause.

chrisdhoover 7y ago

Restaurants and construction were for years the only places ex cons could find work. If those go away from overzealous screening where will those folks find work?

stjohnswarts 7y ago
Maybe they can lay off the cocaine for a few days then? If I were a restaurant owner I wouldn't bat an eyelash at a positive MJ result though. I definitely don't want coke/meth heads though.
- tempguy9999 7y ago
  Parent said ex-cons. If they're 'laying the cocaine for a few days' they're still ex-cons, and no more employable. > I definitely don't want coke/meth heads though. Why do you think that is worse than MJ? I know a guy who uses meth and he's reliable and can hold down a job. Have you any reason to hold that view other than from anti-drug propaganda? (not intended as snark)