Why drug testing is bad, mmkay...

So I was going through my backlogs and found this article from my previous site "DoTheyDrugTest.net". The site has since gone down, but I wanted to salvage this passage because it is a very important issue, especially for those of us looking for jobs. Soon enough, local governments are going to try to drug test even those collecting welfare, a measure which would seem fair, if it wasn't for testing being unethical in the first place. This was written to appeal to both employers and employees, so don't mind the conservative tone. The following is my report:

Imagine this... you're a college senior who spent the last 16 years of life studying hard, getting good grades, and trying to be successful in your upcoming career. Like the vast majority of college students, you make time to enjoy the social aspects of college. You have the qualifications to get a job at your #1 company and get through several rounds of interviews. But in the end, you get rejected... Why? Because at a party a few weeks before, you smoked a joint with some friends.

This happens every day in our business world where companies have the right to test employees for drug use whenever they want.Often it is a condition of employment, but at times could be random, for no reason, and at a moment's notice.

We are not and in no way condoning on the job drug use. Your company is paying you for your time, and deserves your full unadulterated attention. But when the work day is done, your time should be yours and yours alone... Your company does not own you and should not be making decisions for you.

This creates an ethical grey area in workplace relations. The purpose of the site is to allow companies and employees alike the ability to announce whether an applicant should expect to be tested. We serve both as a caution to employees and as a way for companies to prevent unwanted applications from users who do not fit their culture. Until legislation prevents unwarranted testing, the best people can do is stay informed.

 

Some of the reasons why employment drug testing is unethical, and why this site exists:

• Just as your company has the legal right to drug test you, you have a right to know if they are going to invade your privacy. The 4^th Amendment of the Constitution protects against random and unprovoked search and seizure. However, this right does not extend into the workplace.
  
  
• Drug tests do not test for intoxication, rather past usage at an arbitrary time.  
  
  
• Should recreational users be kept out of jobs, only to have more time, unproductive time, on their hands to do more drugs?  
  
  
• These rules were set in place during an era of propaganda, before we had enough true information make judgments about how drugs affect one's health behavior when not under the influence.  
  
  
• Making responsible users second-class citizens. While companies push for open, diverse cultures, they isolate a major one. One that could potentially open additional markets. Usage is tolerated and accepted in some areas despite its illegality.  
  
  
• Laws are changing to make certain drugs legal. Drug tests, especially random tests, prevent prominent people from speaking up for reformation, thus keeping them taboo and illegal.
  
  
• Some drugs tested for are legal in certain areas. A vacation in Amsterdam where one does as the locals do could potentially cost you your job.
  
  
• These tests do not discriminate between recreational users and medicinal users. And yes, people CAN be denied hire, or even fired for taking medication under doctor's orders.
  
  
• Your medical history is not the business of your company. We have strict HIPPA laws that prevent any communication about one's medical history outside of the doctor-patient bond. Employment drug screening defies this law.  
  
  
• Drug tests can reveal other medical conditions (i.e. pregnancy) and legal medications for common disorders (i.e. depression), things that could secretly prevent an otherwise perfect candidate from getting hired
  
  
• Random tests can be a mask for terminating someone for alternate reasons. Don't like a co-worker (for example, say, the black one) who you know partakes once in a while outside of work? Make an accusation and watch them get fired for drugs instead!
  
  
• Marijuana, the most commonly used and least dangerous of intoxicants legal or illegal stays in your system the longest. Harsher drugs are out of one's system within 2-3 days. So these tests typically just uncover pot users, which should rationally be of no concern to a company. Alcohol is significantly worse for one's health than most drugs, and can cause obvious after effects at work even 24 hours after consumption. Yet almost no companies have a policy saying an employee can't drink on their free time.
  
  
• False positives can ruin a person. Food one eats, medicine one takes, and elemental exposure can all cause a clean sample to test positive.
  
  
• Signs of intoxication are obvious and effect performance. If one is not performing to standards, they shouldn't keep their job. But if performance is not affected, why test?

 

This stated, here are the benefits this site can bring to your business:

• Let people know you test, as a warning. Users will not apply for your jobs, saving the time and expense of interviewing and testing someone who will just fail your drug test
• It will encourage people who know they want to work for you to NOT partake
• If you don't test, be proud of it. Announce that you respect your employee's right to privacy when they are on their own time. You are opening yourself up to many qualified candidates another company casts aside for a non-work-related reason.
• Let your company give a reason for their testing. It wouldn't be fair to list reasons why drug testing is bad without giving the company a reason to voice their side. While we feel most testing is unwarranted, there may be instances where there are legitimate reasons why a company tests employees. Now you can explain why.

 

Once again, we do not condone the illegal use of drugs while on the job, but if you choose to partake, you have a right to stay safe. Enjoy the site, and best of luck on your job hunt!

jbx

Bonnaroo Blog-a-roo: We were halfway to Manchester when...

Now for the part of the weekend that gathers the most questions: what about the drugs. Now the official stance by the promoters of the festival is “drug use is not part of the festival and will not be tolerated”. And that shall be the tone of this blog. But we all know the realities of music festivals. Four days of nearly 24-hour music, dancing, and art? Yeah…

They can be fairly thorough on the check-in, so if you plan on bringing anything you shouldn’t, be extremely discrete. Like hidden. You’re better off safe than sorry. And think about this – even if you don’t get arrested, it would suck to lose your stash before the festival. I’d say don’t risk it… you can find what you need inside.

Things begin to chill out by the tents. I actually took count, the first twelve tents I passed all contained people getting happy. This is another reason it’s important to make friends with the neighbors. Chat it up, you may have things to trade. Plus, “salesmen” tend to flock more towards larger groups. And it’s always good to have a second set of eyes out to make sure you’re not getting ripped off. You want to make sure you’re not getting an aspirin for $20…

You’ll see security on the main roads of the camping areas, so don’t be dumb and light something up you shouldn’t while walking to Centeroo. I’ll say it again, be discreet. The cops will leave you alone, but if they see anything weird they’ll swarm. Like if a ton of people emerge from your tent breathing in and out of balloons… they tend to frown upon that. Also keep in mind there’s a security checkpoint to get into Centeroo, so expect bags to be peeked in and pockets patted. Legend has it the volunteer security is paid in whatever they confiscate, so be careful!

Things have been safe throughout the history of Bonnaroo, and it plans to stay that way. So remember that Bonnaroo is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t want to burn out too early. I’ve heard stories of people taking too much Day 1 and being too burned out to leave the campground the rest of the weekend. If buying things there, make sure you know what you’re getting and how to use it. I suggest not taking things you haven’t done before, but if you do, do a bit of research on the internet first.

And if you want to hear something weird: You really can’t find pot there. No shitting ya, I have yet to see someone selling it there. I’m guessing that because of its bulky size, it’s not worth the risk trying to smuggle it into the festival for profit. Crazy, right? The safest drug out there requires the most effort to hide. Just another reason why we need to make it legal, but I’ll leave my soapboxing for another day.

One thing about the common substances – they will dehydrate you. It cools down a bit at night, but when you’re jumping and dancing around a tent with tens of thousands of others, it can be hotter than the day. And all these chemicals speed you up and make you pour out sweat in buckets. Hey, I’m not lying when I say Bonnaroo is great exercise. Make sure you make plenty of trips to the water stations, and take a run through the Mushroom Fountain. Depending on what you’re on, you may find yourselves unable to resist! When the sun comes up and you finally get back to your tent, down some Gatorade so you’re replenished for the morning. The key is, STAY HYDRATED!!!

And if drugs aren’t your thing, that’s all good. To each their own. I’ve met plenty of people there who don’t partake and they have just as good a time. People are discreet about it, so you need not worry about it being in your face. It’s enough of a high just being there, and there’s so much to do that you’ll be mentally occupied on or off the stuff.

Oh yeah, and just to disclaim: I am not advocating the use of drugs nor implying they exist in any manner at Bonnaroo. But this article exists to keep people informed and safe in case they do. Stupid technicalities…

So let me conclude with my overall suggestion on the topic: “Keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground” and all will be good throughout the show…

Reasons even a non-pot smoker should vote for Proposition 19

This Tuesday, we Americans will be witnessing an historic event: The revelation about why we use 'an' in front of the word historic. No, actually, I'm talking about the legalization of marijuana through public referendum... That's right, Proposition 19. Pot will be voted legal in California for recreational use. That is, assuming it passes...

Different polls show close calls in either direction, so lets call it about even. For the many people who are on the fence, this is for you. You probably don't smoke, and may not even have anything to do with the culture of marijuana. Even if you see it as just some drug, there are many reasons why I feel you will agree it should not be illegal. The fact it is illegal creates problems you may not have realized.

I'm not going to give you some whole "anti-Reefer Madness" rant because you've probably heard it already. What I am doing is giving some rational statements about why legalizing pot will be in the best interest of people not even remotely interested or involved with its consumption. Hopefully these will give you reason to vote to legalize it for those who do...

When making your decision, consider these points:

- 850-900,000 people are arrested every year in the US for pot. It is a nonviolent, victimless crime.

- People smoke pot, regardless of its legal state. In other words, people are forced to go through illegal sources to obtain pot. Knowing that users are not deterred by the fact it is illegal, keeping it illegal is supporting crime...

- There are no rules in the illegal black market of pot. Kids can get pot because it is illegal. It's not like alcohol or cigarettes that have measures that prevent minors from buying. Dealers come in all ages. Your 13 year old currently can get illegal pot easier than legal alcohol. Legalizing it, and erasing the black market, will subject minors to constant preventive measures and nuisances like ID-ing.

- Growers, suppliers, and dealers come in all types. There are indeed criminal controlled elements in drug trafficking... you know... the type that kill people. But many others are entrepreneurs who see a need to fill for a product that is in demand. These are businesspeople who are otherwise upstanding citizens. Shouldn't the forum to sell the product be given to those who plan to do it safely and professionally? Or should we keep the market open for those people who kill, steal, rape, sell weapons, etc to keep their enterprise going?

- Many people will argue that if pot is legal, crime will increase from people trying to pay for it. While this isn't true, and would still go on if illegal, lets just follow this logic... Stats have shown that about 20% of drug sales are paid for by 'barter'. Some of these 'barter' items include sex and stolen merchandise. A street dealer will accept these forms of payment. Your legal pot dispensary will not.

- People are afraid we'll see a surge in the amount of people who smoke. This may be true at first, people curious about it and all. But that will level off very quickly. Like with any vice product, some will accept it and some wont. Not everybody drinks, not everybody smokes, and those are legal.

- Arresting people for pot takes up time and resources (and tax dollars) that police could be using to prevent dangerous crime.

- It also slows down our courts and occupies our prosecutors, as there needs to be a trial for every single person arrested.

- The American taxpayer covers the bill for people arrested and imprisoned for pot. You have your own rent, food, utilities to pay for... With the amount of people arrested, given the nonviolent and victimless nature of the crime, is it financially worth it?

- Pot users in prison take up room that more severe offenders should be occupying. Some 60% of people through the legal system are there for drugs, 80-90% of them being for pot possession. Prisons are currently overcrowded, and violent criminals are released early just because there is no room for them. I say keep them in longer by putting them where a nonviolent pot user once stayed.

- Most importantly, WE SPEND A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR as a nation on the enforcement and punishment of marijuana laws. Think about what we could do with that money? Improve our schools? Tax cuts? Why spend that on efforts that have not been working.

- Legalizing pot will eliminate much of the social stigma of the plant, which can help drive research and acceptance of its medicinal purposes.

- Currently, a conviction for pot can end your career. Most corporations will not hire someone with a drug arrest on their record, even for pot. Did you also know that someone with a drug conviction can not get a student loan for college? How does that improve society? Can't even improve yourself to become employable...

- As legal entities, pot dispensaries will operate in a similar fashion to pharmacies and bars. ID will be needed for purchase to make sure the person is of age. And governments will actually make money off taxes levied from pot sales, similar to alcohol and tobacco (with some figures having us raking in hundreds of millions a year in taxes). Not to mention the small business opportunities involved in the pot industry, such as for legal growing, clubs/bars that cater to the pot crowd, and the vibrant market for smoking devices and other paraphernalia.

- Mostly, its about freedom. We can speak, vote, and pray how we like... does it make sense then that we can be told what we can and can not put in own bodies? You don't have to love pot to vote for Proposition 19, you just have to love America.

(more to be added?...)

As you see, it is in the best interest of everyone for pot to be legal. Californians, you have the opportunity. Stand up for your freedom, even if it is a specific one you do not choose to partake in. Yes on 19!!!


jbx