Penalties for dirty urine screens and Breath tests

sorry i haven't got back with anyone or posted lately. I mentioned i got a new job... It was my understanding that i would be working about 20 hours a week, which was perfect for me because i have 2 young children. I'm ACTUALLY working 40-50 hours a week, which are pretty good hours for fast food. The restraunt i work at is like a dairy queen knock off, and i work drive thru, front register, AND i make and decorate our ice cream cakes. one of My managers has me training people that are having a hard time learning the ropes. My other manager im currently training. My job is going very well. Maybe a little TOO well, seeing as how they want me there all the time lol. If one manager needs a day off, i end up working a 12 hour day to back up the manager thats working.
Now, lets get on topic here. We actually had some one come into my clinic the other day who was suspected of drinking. I don't know who it was, but a few workers claimed they smelled alcohol in the lobby. They told the nurses this right when i was getting my meds, and i had just left the lobby and i personally didn't smell anything. They started giving every one who was there breatalizers. I don't think anyone came in drunk, but i believe they may have been drinking the night before and there was still alcohol on their breath. At my clinic, if you are suspected of being under the influence of ANYTHING, you will be tested. if you have a positive reading of any kind, they won't dose you because they cant risk mixing methadone with whatever you may be on. You will also be put on a 30 minute wait, which means when you get to the clinic, you have to sit there for 30 minutes before they will put you in to dose. You don't get taken off the 30 minute wait until your next clean urine screen. You also get your take out privledges revoked for at least 30 days. If you were dismissed from group meetings, you may be required to return for an undisclosed amount of time. Another thing they do is: if they suspect someone of using but are worried that person may go use if they don't dose them, they give them a placebo and tell them about it the next day. This happened to this guy i sometimes talk to when we're waiting to dose. so during my next councling session i asked what happens if someone comes in high, drunk, or has a dirty screen. Thats how i found all of this stuff out. I know this sounds like an unbelievable amount of penalties, but as someone who has never had a dirty urine screen and follows all the rules of the clinic to a T, i agree with these punishments. It's dangerous to mix methadone with other drugs or alcohol, i know people who have died doing it. They don't penalize people like that to be mean, they do it to keep people from using and to keep people safe. Hell, some of the reason why i haven't picked up and used is because im scared of the consequences if i drop dirty, both with my clinic and my family lol. Thats the truth.

I have been at my clinic for 4 yrs and have successfully remained in good standing with many of the rules. However, when it comes to marijuana it is purely a legal issue. I believe that many people get away with much harder drug use because it flushes out of the system within 3 to 5 days as oppose to up to 30 days. I wish patients could stick together and stand up for decriminalization of THC. I have done it successfully one time. But have seen many people crying after all their take homes get removed because of one pot positive. What most patients don't know it the clinics themselves have a book of their own called "policies and procedures". Its the companies rules and they go to GREAT lengths to keep this a secret. When people agree with harsh punishments just to be compliant, they do not realize that most "punishments" are dished out on a whim and can be questioned. For example, even the harshest chain clinics have to follow corporate guidelines as well as federal. If three or more people band together on something too harsh they will comply. Patient advocacy meetings were a regular thing at my clinic. As time went by no one asked about the groups and now they don't have ANY groups at the clinic I go to. I see people roll over like their on probation. I feel the spirit of fear and it makes me sick. I don't drink, don't do coke or anything but a toke maybe every 3 mo. It is against the rules, but it is no more harmful than cigarettes when mixed with methadone. That's the facts. Clinics in Colorado and Ca. have complied with the new changes. Don't hesitate to ask for a copy of every thing you sign too. I still have my take homes. I am careful with any chances I take. Probation periods do still exist in those handbooks and you can call them out on it as long as you have your act together. I am always respectful to the staff. If you can, try to start a patient advocacy group. Remember, if it wasn't for us patients they wouldn't have a job. Finally..if you can help it don't smoke at all. I regret it every time. I have come very far and have seen many very sad things take place at my clinic all because ppl don't know they have basic rights. Stick together because the ppl divided are easily controlled. patients and staff alike.

Many clinics in states where recreational Marijuana has been legalized by voters have stopped testing for THC (and some clinics in states where it is still illegal don't test for THC either - like in NYC)... but since opioid treatment programs are federally regulated and licensed clinics if a program DOES test for THC, even in a state where it is legal, they have to "count" it as an illicit drug screen because it is still illegal under federal law. I agree, though, that the harm from marijuana is FAR less than the harm from it affecting an opiate dependent person's opiate treatment. The Methadone Patients Manifesto in 1996 addressed this issue somewhat as well, for the first time methadone patients came together and spoke in a unified voice. That is largely now carried on by NAMA-R, but too many patients aren't dues paying members of NAMA-R or just don't care enough to get involved. What's $25 a YEAR to make sure we have a national organization under which we can stay organized and fight for our rights???