PNAP / drug testing

[EDPHRN]

Allow me to give you a little background information about myself. I am an ER RN since 2000. Three and a half years ago I found myself taking Dilaudid Wastes home with me. Shortly thereafter I found myself addicted. I lost my job, but was determined to learn about myself and become well again.

I Voluntarily entered the PNAP program, signed the PA VRP contract and the PNAP contract and was sent for out patient addiction counseling. I became involved with AA/NA. I retained a very expensive lawyer from Philly. (Because I was advised this was a good idea). I had no criminal charges.

For the last 41 months, I have jumped through the hoops, went back to work as an RN about a year into the program, have not touched a drug or alcohol, have never had a positive drug screen, have submitted all of my paper work, paid all of my administrative fees.

More importantly I have become healthy again. I have learned invaluable lessons about addiction and myself. I help others. I am active in my community.

6 months ago when I reached the three year mark, I was told I would be in the monitoring program for another 6 months because Pennsylvania didn't sign their portion of the contract until 6 months after I started....

Now, with 30 days left, I was advised I had a positive drug screen. The firdt in 41 months. I am not allowed to know what I tested positive for.

I take no new medications. I have not touched a narcotic since this became an issue for me. I have not changed a thing.

I am being told I have to explain this to the VRP and my problem is that I can't.

I contested the urine test and it was retested with the same positive result. Again, for what I don't know, but I really have not taken a thing. I can't even identify a food that might have caused this although I have a suspicion.

I am also being told that I may need to start all over again.... for yet another three years.

My expensive Lawyer (who had closed my case without even so much as a phone call over a year ago because of inactivity) tells me there is nothing I can do.

Does anyone know if I have any kind of defense here? Additional testing to the urine? Hair testing?

I realize some will defend a lie until the bitter end.... and I realize it is easy to be put into that category with my history but there are honest people in recovery and I am one of them.

Has this happened to anyone else? Suggestions? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[larrn1]

Omg this is my worst fear. I too am at the three year mark in pnap and was told that I have 6 more months to go because of when they signed the papers. I never had a positive screen but am constantly worried this will happen to me at the end. The program has screwed me many times in different ways and I so feel for what u are going through. Please let us know the outcome of this. When I am done I would love the chance to advocate and make the program more fair for others. I hope this problem is resolved for u

[condor12]

Get a new lawyer. Immediately.

Stick it out, maybe get another lawyer, but in the end they need another investigation and hearing to move to restart. Never offer anything other than its a false positive, ask for another form of screening.

[Help2016]

Help. I have had 8 glasses of wine in 14 days. All of a sudden I have to take a peth. Last wine 4 days prior to test. You think I'll pass? Stupid. I know. Tha ks.

[RNdynamic]

There is genetic testing -- testing the urine to make sure its DNA is yours. However, it is over 1000 dollars I'm told and my monitoring program has you perform it at your expense, if you request it.

[CryssyD]

How awful--I lived in terror of a false positive for this exact reason. You really can't do anything about it. VA doesn't allow you to know what you tested positive for without a court order, ostensibly to protect the integrity of the testing process. Very irritating and makes it impossible to prove your innocence.

Given the enormous costs you could incur in the wake of this episode (more frequent testing, possibly being told to go to rehab and/or get more counseling, loss of your ability to work, plus the added general costs of maybe having your time extended), one would think your lawyer could argue that you have a significant interest in the ability to prove your innocence--or at least understand what you did to cause a false positive so you don't continue doing it--and so you should be allowed to know the result.

My advice: Go over your contract with a fine-toothed comb and find out exactly what your rights are in this situation. You probably won't be able to exonerate yourself, unfortunately, but see what you can do. A hair test is no good without knowing what to test for, and it's expensive; a full panel to cover everything usually tested for would probably be several hundred dollars. Contact the Board and find out if anyone there can give you advice or guidance. Finally, get another lawyer. These programs should not be able to yank us around the way they do, we really should have some basic healthcare rights.

I wish you all the best, but honestly you're probably scr#w