Drug Testing for Incoming Students?

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notarealname222

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I am writing to determine if, and at which schools, drug testing for incoming medical students occurs. This post is intended to provide information to the class of 2011. If you are currently a medical student or resident and were drug tested before beginning medical school, there are a quite a few of us (I imagine) who would like to know the specifics, i.e. what kind of test was administered (hair test, urine test, blood test, etc.), what was the timing of the testing and what were the consequences of a positive result.

It would be helpful if responders could please refrain from responding to this post with their opinions on drug use. Thanks!
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Oh give me a break. Is it so hard to stop smoking weed for 3 months?

I guess this puts me in the non-helpful category.
 
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get ready for the flames!

A note: It's not hard to imagine that some people are taking highly stigmatized drugs for medical conditions that would show up on a drug test, and when it's the medical school doing the testing, there are a lot of legitimate concerns about privacy
 
For the most part, I'd say you are asking the wrong group of 2007 applicants.
 
But the OP's other point - is it a common practice for med schools to require urine tests? Its the first I've heard of it. Then again, its not like I know everything.

I have even heard that some medical students smoke dope *gasp* 😱

I can't imagine they would spend the money to do hair testing.
 
KaraKiz said:
But the OP's other point - is it a common practice for med schools to require urine tests? Its the first I've heard of it. Then again, its not like I know everything.
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There was some buzz on SDN a year or two ago that one or two med schools had begun doing drug testing and a number of others were reportedly considering it. Makes sense for certain drugs given the rate of substance abuse of people in the profession, and the fact that folks will have access to meds and prescription pads in the not too distant future, let alone safety of patients. Expect this to occur more widely down the road.

Most industry drug screens (eg pharmaceutical) require a urine test but not blood or hair, so if you wanted to anticipate one, that would be the best guess.

Bear in mind that you are going to have to ask about and lecture patients on the dangers of drug use, so probably best to quit now so you can do it with a straight face.
 
I work at Mount Sinai, and I've heard that they drug test incoming med students (although I don't remember where I heard that). Before I got my job here, I had to undergo a drug test - urine. It was the standard drug test for all Mount Sinai employees, whether you are a doctor or a lowly research assistant like me....so I imagine it's the same for med students.
 
No it's not common practice. You will probably have to undergo a background check though, especially if your school is state or VA affiliated, so anything on your record pertaining to drugs you would be wise to be candid about.
 
everyone gets so up in arms about this stuff... c'mon - I just went to the doctor's today and they asked the usual questions... drug use? -nope, drink? -occasionally, smoke? nope. These are things ppl do so... might as well be used to talking about it without getting in peoples faces 😀 .

the only school i know drug tests is Ohio State - my friend went there, and they test you on the first day, at orientation (or something close to that). i did not ask him what method...
 
Seriously it's just not worth jeopardizing your future, just refrain from it starting now and you'll be fine.

I highly doubt that they'll do some crazy long term hair test to find out if you spent your freshman days high as a kite. So long as you're not a pothead anymore that's all that really matters.
 
mt sinai definitely tests incoming students, they sent the packets in the mail already. i have the list of things they look for if you really want to know what med school looks for, or are worried... though you shouldn't be 🙄
 
SpiresAAC said:
I work at Mount Sinai, and I've heard that they drug test incoming med students (although I don't remember where I heard that). Before I got my job here, I had to undergo a drug test - urine. It was the standard drug test for all Mount Sinai employees, whether you are a doctor or a lowly research assistant like me....so I imagine it's the same for med students.
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You are correct. In the interview packet, there is a sheet regarding a Pre-Entry Toxicology Screening Requirement (urine test) as a condition of acceptance to MSSM. This is the only school I know of that requires this.

So, to the OP, if you're not planning on going to Mount Sinai, feel free to puff, puff, give to your heart's content!
 
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WashU drugs tests. I know b/c I got the letter last Spring saying I would be tested before school started. It was actually sort of amusing b/c it said something to the effect of "be advised that cannibis may take XXX amount of time to be completely cleared from the system..."
 
Stolenspatulas said:
very true. 90% of the people here have not tried weed. 70% do not drink alcohol.
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Hilarious side note. I was talking to my landlord about Chad, and he was like, "so what's up with the ganga-weed?" When he caught his mistake (it's janjawid), he was like, "ummmm... ummm...' but I was already dying of laughter.

Anyway, I guess this is true along with the fact that we've never gotten C's, we've never missed a class, and we've never practiced for the MCAT before we took it and got a 38T.
 
PeripateticMD said:
oops... i knew i didn't fit in...
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just a guess with those numbers. Im probably pretty close.

I kind of get irritated when SDNers flame questions like these with fearful shouts of OMG YOU'RE DOING DRUGS GET OUT OF HERE!!! .... when most of them have never even tried pot, nor have they truly researched it independently.... they're living off the illegal/legal government-labelled attitude.

ps- I dont smoke pot.
 
Stolenspatulas said:
just a guess with those numbers. Im probably pretty close.

I kind of get irritated when SDNers flame questions like these with fearful shouts of OMG YOU'RE DOING DRUGS GET OUT OF HERE!!! .... when most of them have never even tried pot, nor have they truly researched it independently.... they're living off the illegal/legal government-labelled attitude.

ps- I dont smoke pot.
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Wait, you were serious?! Then we have a dearth of west coasters on here. I mean not to be a pot smoker is wonderful (i'd know) and not to drink is great (i'd know), but to not have tried? wow. I'd have thought that at least 60% of this forum had TRIED and that a large majority occasionally drink large amounts because of their neuroses.
 
Ohio State Drug Tests???????? Wtf????????
 
PeripateticMD said:
Wait, you were serious?! Then we have a dearth of west coasters on here. I mean not to be a pot smoker is wonderful (i'd know) and not to drink is great (i'd know), but to not have tried? wow. I'd have thought that at least 60% of this forum had TRIED and that a large majority occasionally drink large amounts because of their neuroses.
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Poll time? I dont do polls. Maybe someone will start one.
 
Stolenspatulas said:
Poll time? I dont do polls. Maybe someone will start one.
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That would get shut down in 2.5 seconds. But it would be hilarious. What would the options be?

1. I've TRIED an illegal drug (this includes pot)
2. I drink small amounts regularly (wine with dinner)
3. I occasionally drink socially.
4. I drink >5 drinks occasionally.
5. I drink >5 drinks often.
6. I smoke occassionally.
7. I smoke regularly.
8. I'm so drunk and high that I don't remember what I do.

How does that sound?
 
PeripateticMD said:
Wait, you were serious?! Then we have a dearth of west coasters on here. I mean not to be a pot smoker is wonderful (i'd know) and not to drink is great (i'd know), but to not have tried? wow. I'd have thought that at least 60% of this forum had TRIED and that a large majority occasionally drink large amounts because of their neuroses.
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That could be true, but I doubt most people would admit to any substance use, anyway, even if this forum were fully "anonymous".
 
I'd bet that plenty of people on the forums have tried pot, and I doubt there can really be that many US college students who have never drank (seriously). It's probably just that most people are too paranoid to ever admit having done any of those things on SDN, lol.

Statistically speaking, if that many people on SDN all haven't drank or tried pot before that would make SDN an amazing statistical anomoly, seriously.
 
Stolenspatulas said:
very true. 90% of the people here have not tried weed. 70% do not drink alcohol.
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find that hard to believe. . . have you spent your entire college experience trying to get into medical school and not stopped along the way to have any fun???
 
Hey if our presidents can smoke crack and bang hookers, why can't our doctors do the same? Seriously though, we all have to grow up sometime and stop looking for ways to enhance life and just start living it.
 
Law2Doc said:
There was some buzz on SDN a year or two ago that one or two med schools had begun doing drug testing and a number of others were reportedly considering it.
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Yeah, I think it's sort of a cyclical topic around here around the springtime when folks realize they are going to medical school the following year.

I don't know about which schools drug test, but keep in mind that at many medical schools, you're considered the same as hospital employees during you clerkships in years 3 and 4 so even though the school may not test, there's a good chance the hospital will.
 
To The OP,
We are guaranteed by the Constitution that the government and government entities won't infringe on our rights.(at least this was true until the Patriot Act) Public Universities being "Government Entities" usually refrain from drug testing students and faculty due to the 4th amendment protecting us from "unreasonable searches and seizures". This is different from private entities(or private universities) which can make whatever rule they want regarding drug testing so long as the policy is told to the employee/student. Additionally, courts have rules that drug testing some public employees such as bus drivers, police officers, etc. is "reasonable" and constitutional due to public safety concerns.

Are medical students on drugs public safety concerns.... maybe so, but i don't think the courts have decided on this one yet.

Soooo.... In a nutshell, you'll be much more likely to get a drug test at a private university than at a public university. I'd say don't risk it either way.
 
gotmeds? said:
Oh give me a break. Is it so hard to stop smoking weed for 3 months?

I guess this puts me in the non-helpful category.
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I didn't see "weed" anywhere in his post 🙄 Typical of premeds to assume that marijuana is the only drug mild enough for successful matriculants to be doing, if at all
 
notarealname222 said:
If you are currently a medical student or resident and were drug tested before beginning medical school, there are a quite a few of us (I imagine) who would like to know the specifics, i.e. what kind of test was administered (hair test, urine test, blood test, etc.), what was the timing of the testing and what were the consequences of a positive result.
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We secretly test everyone at the interview, positive = rejection 🙄
 
I read somewhere that enough Methamphetamines can be passed through seminal fluid during intercourse that it can cause the receiver of said fluid to fail a drug test. Just another reason not to have sex with druggies. That's why I say just get your girlfriend liquored up 😀 . I kid I kid
 
GoinBack2Cali? said:
find that hard to believe. . . have you spent your entire college experience trying to get into medical school and not stopped along the way to have any fun???
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haha. i would say exactly the opposite. Pretty much partied and goofed off all the time.... I am an excellent cram artist.... I need to un-do that habit bc i know medschool wont be that way.
 
well that's one test I won't have to study for.......just put them all out in front of me:laugh: and I'll name each one.
 
drug testing isn't cheap, guess who gets to pay for it too 🙄
 
I was pretty surprised when I heard that WashU tests. Seems like a pretty stupid and overly invasive policy.

It would make more sense to me if they tested for drugs other than marijuana.
 
Towelie said:
I was pretty surprised when I heard that WashU tests. Seems like a pretty stupid and overly invasive policy.

It would make more sense to me if they tested for drugs other than marijuana.
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They do test for drugs other than weed.
 
all the testing really serves is to catch those not clever/smart enough to cover up their use. As long as the drugs dont get in the way of their job, what makes it my business if they use them?

The percentages that that person posted are probably inaccurate but then again 99 percent of statistics are made up.
 
I'm not a smoker of anything... not even jerky, but do they test for Tobacoo.. or does this go under nobody knows, and who cares category?

I know LLU out in LA cares if you smoke tobacoo, they actually ask if you've done it in the past year.
 
hb2998 said:
I'm not a smoker of anything... not even jerky, but do they test for Tobacoo.. or does this go under nobody knows, and who cares category?

I know LLU out in LA cares if you smoke tobacoo, they actually ask if you've done it in the past year.
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I sincerely doubt they test for tobacco use except in schools (aka LLU) that have some statement that they wouldn't want their students to be using substances like tobacco, caffeine or alcohol.
 
why are you trying to go to medical school if you are a stoner?


I mean can't you clean up? Maybe you used the stuff in the past but how about change your life, turn it around and mature a little.
 
digitalraid said:
all the testing really serves is to catch those not clever/smart enough to cover up their use. As long as the drugs dont get in the way of their job, what makes it my business if they use them?
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Because, historically, people who lie about things such as drug use will lie in the future about things such as, oh, drug abuse. You wanna toke freely, move to a country that allows it, or join the lobbies that want it legalized. Otherwise, follow the rules, or don't cry when you lose.
 
I take 1-2 drug tests a year (I'm military, not a criminal). What I hate most about it is the guy who always has to stand there to watch me pee. A close second is the fact that I can't wash my hands until after I sign papers and put on the little sticker that seals the bottle.

It's really very degrading.
 
TexasFool said:
why are you trying to go to medical school if you are a stoner?


I mean can't you clean up? Maybe you used the stuff in the past but how about change your life, turn it around and mature a little.
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most med students I know that smoke(d) pot aren't what most people would consider "stoners"
 
Towelie said:
I was pretty surprised when I heard that WashU tests. Seems like a pretty stupid and overly invasive policy.

It would make more sense to me if they tested for drugs other than marijuana.
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POTHEAD ALERT!

where'd you learn that, Cheech? DRUG school?
 
ryanl said:
To The OP,
We are guaranteed by the Constitution that the government and government entities won't infringe on our rights.(at least this was true until the Patriot Act) Public Universities being "Government Entities" usually refrain from drug testing students and faculty due to the 4th amendment protecting us from "unreasonable searches and seizures". This is different from private entities(or private universities) which can make whatever rule they want regarding drug testing so long as the policy is told to the employee/student. Additionally, courts have rules that drug testing some public employees such as bus drivers, police officers, etc. is "reasonable" and constitutional due to public safety concerns.

Are medical students on drugs public safety concerns.... maybe so, but i don't think the courts have decided on this one yet.

Soooo.... In a nutshell, you'll be much more likely to get a drug test at a private university than at a public university. I'd say don't risk it either way.
Click to expand...


I wouldn't bet on that -- your reasoning is flawed, I'm afraid. Numerous agencies in the US government do drug testing. The constitutionality of drug testing has already been adjudicated in courts and the US government can test doctors and still stay well within such rulings. There simply isn't a greater safety concern than a physician working on patients -- eg a surgeon on drugs can do as much damage as a bus driver, and has far greater access to substances.
 
Stolenspatulas said:
I kind of get irritated when SDNers flame questions like these with fearful shouts of OMG YOU'RE DOING DRUGS GET OUT OF HERE!!! .... when most of them have never even tried pot, nor have they truly researched it independently.... they're living off the illegal/legal government-labelled attitude.
Click to expand...

While I personally don't care who does what, I have to say that gettng irritated by people who say a future professional should obey the law (even if the law may be based on outdated assumptions) is kind of bizarre. There is no reason to "research it independently" -- it is against the law. If someone researched it and found it beneficial, s/he still shouldn't do it if it is illegal. Getting caught with or using drugs can jeopardize your future. It really is moot whether they damage brain cells or whatever, because they can destroy your life just by being in your backpack, let alone your bloodstream.
 
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