Drug Testing - Methamphetamines

lesley1947

Does anyone know how easy (or hard) it is to detect meth in a drug screen?  I know that some drugs (marijuana, for example) stay in the system for quite a while in an habitual user.  Others, like cocaine, are only detectable for a relatively short time.  So, where does meth fall?  Thanks.  

TXHRGuy

Your drug testing vendor can tell you.  In general, if I have behavior-based reasonable suspicion, I test.  If your reasonable suspicion is not based on behavior, you need to be careful and perhaps consult with counsel, depending on your drug testing policy and your state.  If you are a user who is hoping to continue use, avoid detection and stay employed, that is highly unlikely in my experience.

IT HR

It is my understanding that meth stays in your system for 3-5 days. I agree with the previous posting that your drug testing facility should be able to answer that question for you.

 

 

lesley1947

Whoa, there!   I am not a user and I am not a corporate HR practioner so I don't have a drug testing vendor to consult at this time.  I was asking because a client suspects a problem with one of his drivers.  I already advised the client that it might be hard to pick up on a drug test if the EE had advance notice that he was going to be tested and could refrain from using for a few days.  Anyway, thanks for the reply.       

TXHRGuy

You can get the information from calling any lab but they will be more forthcoming in talking to a client.

In the private sector, absent a CBA, you do not need to give notice of a drug test.  In fact, you can require that they report to the test center within a certain time frame of notification.  You can even drive them there.  Scoop them up at the beginning of a shift.  Just make sure the test is being administered in a state that the company understands well.  If the driver is in a distant state on a run, you may want to seek legal counsel local to the state in which the driver is located at the time you require the test.  If meth can be caught on a hair sample, and I don't recall if it can, then the time since last use is largely irrelevent

bevhunt

There is an article on this website at http://hr.blr.com/news.aspx?id=18992 that describes ways to detect if an employee is using beyond an actual drug test.  This could be helpful.

TXHRGuy

Bev:

Thanks for the great BLR resource.