Is it fair to be turned down a job because you took two pain pills?

Question

Rx pain pills that is (yes I know they are narcotics). I had been moving with a girlfriend all day long a few weeks ago. At the end of the day my body was hurting and tired. She gave me two of her prescription pain pills. I had to take a pee test within the next few days for a job offer. I have taken many pee tests in the past and they were checking for illegal substances. When did they start testing for Rx?
The urine test for the job showed the pain pills. Now I might not get the job. H.R. is deciding what to do with the situation right now.
I understand that the pills were in my friends name and I cannot prove the prescription is mine. I admitted to that. Should I be denied this job because of this situation?

Answer 1

That is totally up to the employer's HR department. However, it does not show much in the line of responsibility on YOUR part taking prescription meds prescribed to another. My guess is that lack of responsibility is why the HR department is hedging on your job offer.

Answer 2

Yes. Illegal use of prescription drugs is the same as illegal use of non-prescription drugs (pot, cocaine, etc).

The tests don't show whether the narcotics came from illegal drugs, Rx, or just over-the-counter cough syrup, and the company doesn't care how you got the narcotics (the police might care, of course). All the company knows is that you had narcotics in your system, and their job requires that you not have ANY inappropriate substances in your system.

Read the fine print on the application and the form you signed admitting that you were willing to take the test. You can try explaining the situation and the source of the narcotics to the HR department, but they have strict rules they have to follow, and they have to follow those rules.

Answer 3

Well, it wasn't the smartest thing you could have done.... So many people are abusing OTC and Rx narcotics now that many companies have started testing for those substances, especially in jobs that involve operating machinery or driving.

I can tell you that at my company if you failed the drug test, the job offer would have automatically been rescinded, no questions asked, so it's positive that at least the HR department at your prospective company is considering the situation.

In the future, don't take any prescriptions that aren't in your name, ok?

Answer 4

Er, yes?

You just admittted you took drugs that were PRESCRIBED FOR SOMEBODY ELSE!!! It hardly matters that they were your girlfriends!

Not sure I understand "when did they start testing for Rx?", are you implying that a company can't deny you employment if you have a LEGAL drug problem? Care to take a bus or a plane with a drunk driver/pilot?

Companies hire people they think can do the job and they think have good judgement.

Do you really think you showed "good judgement" taking someone else's prescription medicine a few days before a drug test? Or did you just "not think"? Do you think that's any better?

Answer 5

They where not checking in the past for illegal substances only controlled substances. Prescriptions are controlled substances hence, if no prescription it is illegal. More likely than not, you are not going to get the job. Sorry

Answer 6

Fair or unfair, many companies have this policy. Many people abuse prescription drugs, so that is why they test for them. I don't mean to sound harsh, but your prospective employer may not care that you "just took two." In the future, I wouldn't take anything that I didn't have a prescription for.

Answer 7

Stop taking your friend's pain pills. If this company doesn't take you then another one will. Go out and find a job, forget about your friends for awhile and think about yourself.