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Holle B (c-67-171-234-37.client.comcast.net - 67.171.234.37)
Posted on Thursday, April 22, 2004 - 8:20 pm:   

Does the peacecorps drug test applicants as part of the medical screening? I'm worried I could test positive for marijuana but am interested in serving.
millie jackson (port-st8.cwo.com - 64.57.107.18)
Posted on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - 12:42 pm:   

good question
April Conway (host03.conservacy.org - 65.202.64.27)
Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 7:38 pm:   

In order to get medically cleared, I do believe you are drug tested. I don't remember being specifically drug tested, but you have to pee in a cup and they take blood samples for the physicals.
J. Ramsey (llwrouter.africa-online.net - 66.36.203.243)
Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 8:05 am:   

They don't say "piss in this cup for a drug test" but they do go over things with an attention to detail. A good deal also depends on your physician who does the medical checkup. You might be fine.

But if you have done some chemical unmentionables and somthing is weird that makes them scrutinize your blood and urine, it could be very awkward (i.e. "Why did you omit things from your medical profile and what else have you omitted" not "why did you get stoned Friday").
J. Ramsey (llwrouter.africa-online.net - 66.36.203.243)
Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 8:08 am:   

They don't say "piss in this cup for a drug test" but they do go over things with an attention to detail. A good deal also depends on your physician who does the medical checkup. You might be fine.

But if you have done some chemical unmentionables and somthing is weird that makes them scrutinize your blood and urine, it could be very awkward (i.e. "Why did you omit things from your medical profile and what else have you omitted" not "why did you get stoned Friday").
Anonymous (pool-71-113-61-137.sttlwa.dsl-w.verizon.net - 71.113.61.137)
Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 2:13 am:   

I heard that they take a piece of you hair and test for hard drugs like meth and MDMA. Similar to the FBI.
Anonymous (pacfa.fleet.navy.mil - 205.56.145.34)
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 3:27 am:   

Does the PC actively test for drugs durring PCV's service?
Anonymous (216.143.112.111)
Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 3:18 pm:   

Peace Corps does not test for any drugs. so many people smoke pot it is not funny.
ajb (ool-44c67558.dyn.optonline.net - 68.198.117.88)
Posted on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 4:10 am:   

still curious about a legit answer to this very important question. does it really come down to what doctor takes your physical/what lab checks the UAs?
Admin1 (admin)
Moderator
Username: admin

Post Number: 694
Registered: 7-2008
Posted From: 76.213.149.55
Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2008 - 4:21 pm:   

drug testing
hey, I have a friend who's interested in joining the 'corps and she wants to know if they drug test. I told her probably not, but who knows? maybe she's right.

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tiamatinchina
2008-06-16 05:56 am UTC (link)
Nope, they don't.
(Reply to this)(Thread)


slunickomoje
2008-06-16 01:19 pm UTC (link)
I have yet to have any type of 'drug test.' That said, the physical exam has a lot of blood work/urine tests/etc. I'm not sure if it is something that would come up - but maybe?
(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


tiamatinchina
2008-06-16 02:21 pm UTC (link)
No, really. They don't.
(Reply to this)(Parent)


iatrogenicmyth
2008-06-16 04:25 pm UTC (link)
I don't understand this.

99% of jobs require drug testing. Any governmental jobs or positions require drug testing, and many also have ongoing random drug tests.

Since all of the cocaine-related scandals within the Peace Corps, you'd think that they would at least attempt to screen out people who were already using illicit drugs.
(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


yonaelka
2008-06-19 04:29 pm UTC (link)
Oddly enough, the Internal Revenue Service does not require drug testing. In fact, a lot of the more menial government jobs do not require drug testing. I work at the IRS, and I swear to god, you could be a monkey on crack and still work there. In fact, the monkeys tend to get promoted over those of us who are actually busting our asses.
(Reply to this)(Parent)


brbrbrad
2008-06-16 04:26 pm UTC (link)
It's true that they don't drug test.

But I think it's worth noting that once you're in country, they will send you home if they even suspect you are using drugs that are illegal in the USA, even if they are legal in your host country.
(Reply to this)(Thread)


meteoricpath
2008-06-16 05:42 pm UTC (link)
yes, this is very true. I know people who were kicked out of PC on suspicion of drug use (which is about all I'll say on the subject).

And OT, I'm assuming you were evac'ed from Kenya - sorry. We had a few Kenya vol's come to us in Ghana... I ran into one of the guys in the sub office while I was being evacuated from my town. I see we've got some common interests - what are you up to now if you don't mind my asking?
(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


brbrbrad
2008-06-16 06:24 pm UTC (link)
Yep, I've been home since January. I was a Master's International student, so I spent my first four months getting my Masters Special Project completed, and now I'm looking for a job in Charlotte NC.

What happened to make you evacuate your town? Are you still in Ghana?

If you're interested, my master's special project was a video of my Peace Corps service, including info about the evacuation: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7108085531 188268881&q=kitobo&ei=oK9WSKWIN4eIrgKXh63nDg

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