I came to work today and was promptly told to report to the Safety Office.
Ulp.
With visions of unknown violations dancing in my head I reported. The lady looked me up in her computer, filled out a form, and told me to go catch the shuttle van to a nearby clinic.
Random drug screen.
Whew.
Until caffeine and sugar are added to the Controlled Substances Lists, drug screens hold no terror for me. Hand me that cup, I'm good. So I was relaxed enough to enjoy the ride. And to be amused that they were specific about me catching the shuttle. I would be watched every step of the way, apparently.
I honestly don't know how much of a problem drugs are in the trucking industry these days. I know they used to be. Amphetamines (used mostly just to stay awake) were so common that one hit song from my youth took them for granted.
No more speed, I'm almost there.
Gotta be cool now, gotta take care.
Last car to pass, here I go...
And my wife likes to tell me about being on a Greyhound back in the 80's, when the driver said they'd have to stop for a while because he was too tired to drive. Whereupon a trucker got up and said, "I've got something that'll wake you up..."
Even now, the temptation is obviously there. Truck stops are full of stay-awake helps, from energy drinks to wonder-herb pills.* The latest thing seems to be shaving-cream size cans of pure oxygen.**
I find a lot of this humorous, but it does suggest the DOT isn't being entirely paranoid. When the amphetamine substitutes outnumber the, um, male performance aids, you know drivers are worried about something.
So I'll donate body fluids and take my clean bill of health. Can't hurt.
And this load does deliver late...
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*I've got a little spray bottle of caffeine and B vitamins in my suitcase, just in case. I haven't had to use it yet.
**often with some "refreshing scent" added...
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