Here are some extremely disturbing facts I find unbelievable. In most U.S. hospitals, which employees would you expect to be tested for drug use: the people who sweep the floors or the doctors and nurses?
In the hospital nearest my home (the one I would be taken to in the event of a crisis), the people who sweep the floors, file clerks and other non-medical jobs are routinely tested…but the doctors are rarely, if ever tested! Is that not insane? I believe if anyone should be tested, it should be the scalpel wielding surgeons!
I know that when an alcoholic, pain-killer popping, coke snorting surgeon is slicing my chest open…it gives me comfort that the surgery room janitor has been tested for using drugs!!!
Bobby Revell
Who should be tested for drugs?
Here’s some folks who rarely get checked for illicit drug use but really should be 1st in line for analysis: Doctors, Nurses, Judges, Lawyers, Police Officers, Firemen, Politicians and of course…The President!!!!!!!
What I find even more disturbing is that two of the most dangerous drugs known, are legal in most countries…alcohol and tobacco. Though heroin and cocaine are rated as the most dangerous drugs, 95% of all drug related deaths worldwide are caused by alcohol and tobacco! It makes no sense whatsoever. The following chart shows what most scientific studies show about drug danger levels.
Notice that alcohol is rated much more dangerous than speed, anabolic steroids and ecstasy! That is frightening. What do you think? Did you know that cocaine and amphetamine are only psychologically addictive while alcohol and tobacco are physically addictive? A heavy drinking alcoholic can die from going cold turkey.
I am extremely proud to be drug, alcohol and tobacco free!!!!! Yay for me!!!!!!
| Drug | Study Ranking | Legal Classification |
| Heroin | 1 (most harmful) |
A |
| Cocaine | 2 | A |
| Barbiturates (sedatives) |
3 | B |
| Methadone (opioid) |
4 | A |
| Alcohol | 5 | legal |
| Ketamine (anesthetic) |
6 | C |
| Benzodiazepines (sedatives) |
7 | C |
| Amphetamine (”speed”) |
8 | B |
| Tobacco | 9 | legal |
| Buprenorphine (opioid) |
10 | C |
| Cannabis | 11 | C |
| Solvents | 12 | legal |
| 4-methylthioamphetamine (amphetamine derivative) |
13 | A |
| LSD | 14 | A |
| Methylphenidate (i.e. Ritalin�) |
15 | B |
| Anabolic steroids | 16 | C |
| Gamma 4-hydroxybutyric acid (depressant, “date-rape drug”) |
17 | C |
| Ecstasy | 18 | A |
| Alkyl nitrites (nitrite inhalants, “poppers”) |
19 | legal |
| Khat (plant-derived stimulant) |
20 (least harmful) |
legal |
#1 by Genie Princess at January 2nd, 2008
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Hola! Am I the first commenter? How was ur NY celebration Bobby? Care to share ur NY resolution with me?
http://mariuca.blogspot.com/2008/01/hello-2008.html
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Hello 2008!
#2 by Stephan Miller at January 2nd, 2008
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Very interesting post. I have always thought that every career has it’s share of messed up people. The car mechanic that forgets to put oil in after an oil change. The doctor who operates on the wrong side of your head. No one is above drug testing and any company that advocates it should do so for every one of its employees.
#3 by Andy Bailey at January 2nd, 2008
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looking at that chart I can see that I scored very highly! (oh, that’s not the purpose though?)
Andy Bailey’s last blog post..3 day lazy period is due to finish. grr
#4 by Tony at January 3rd, 2008
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I must admit that I’m very surprised that alcohol is listed higher than ecstasy
Tony’s last blog post..Today?s Personal Picks
#5 by nimrodjo at January 7th, 2008
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Hi Bobby….nice topic u got here…I agree alcohol and tobacco actually a silent killer for those u take it…it doesn’t show the effect fast but the stuff is very harmful…In my state, people take alcohol like drinking water…sometimes when they are drunk, things become very messy…I never liked alcohol…that is a good table to compare all the chemical level of harmfulness…
nimrodjo’s last blog post..There Is A Big Problem With Adverlets
#6 by webrunner at January 7th, 2008
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Interesting perspective on drug testing.
Personally I’m not too concerned about drug testing doctors. Really now how many junkies do you know about who have a MD designation? I would think most doctors value their careers too much and are pretty intelligent to get sucked into that vice.
#7 by Judy at January 8th, 2008
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Bobby, I love the way you think…. I have long since said that smoking and booze should be outlawed! I just think the peeps in charge think they have to let us have something, so they choose the thing most people don’t really think is bad for us…. I wrote a post about cigarettes long ago and if you like read it. here: http://sugar-queens-dream.blogspot.com/2007/06/myths-behind-smoking.html
Go read it, I just fired off frustration is all but it won me an award from Bill Blunt and that is hard to do!
Hugs
Judy’s last blog post..A little everyday sumpin sumpin
#8 by Jasko at April 22nd, 2008
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It’s all twisted upside down. Things like this are happening more than we could imagine. I know from the reliable source that many doctors are doing this way. I guess that they are humans as well, their job is stressful – but what is a bottom line then?
For me it is also absurd to sentence a teenager for a few blows of pot and in the same time not to do enough or anything to take care about the big fishes.
I guess it is the world that we are living – so many things are not how they were supposed to be. It does not concern you until you do not got clapped in the head. Only in that case people are starting to wonder about it.
Jasko’s last blog post..Entrecard Experience
#9 by Robin at April 30th, 2008
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Hospitals are probably afraid that if they test the doctors and nurses, they would never be able to hire any! I agree that a lot of drug testing programs are misguided. For instance, I am totally against drug testing high school athletes. This reminds me of a drug testing experience I had.
I used to work as a cashier for a national grocery store chain in high school. They gave me a drug test, because God forbid I, in my drug fueled confusion, should ring up someone’s portabella mushrooms as shiitake mushrooms. Well, most employers send you to a private clinic for a drug test, right? Not this one. They were cheap, so here’s what they did. I show up at the grocery store, the manager (a male) hands me a cup and tells me to go to the restroom in the back of the store and pee in the cup. After I do this, I have to carry what is obviously a CUP OF URINE through the whole store. The manager hands me a sticker and tells me to seal the cup with it and takes the urine. And even with that procedure, half the employees were still on drugs! Good post.
Robin’s last blog post..The Curse of My Monkey Paw
#10 by Elaine at March 8th, 2009
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I personally know a physician that drinks. He is an executive director at this hospital, has a private practice(cardio) and is an instructor at a college. Imagine. I recently embraced him with a hug and he was reaking of alcohol. I discreetly brought it to his attention months later,but propably to no avail. Go figure. If I could notice something, so can everybody else.
#11 by Revellian at January 2nd, 2008
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Yes Marzie…you are both the first and currently…most recent commenter!!! For that, you win a delicious chocolate cookie
Are you referring to my New York resolution? Yes…my resolution is to never go back…hahaha 
#12 by Revellian at January 2nd, 2008
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hahaha…of course Andy!!! I am actually against drug testing for the most part…here in America, they are testing the wrong people.
#13 by Revellian at January 3rd, 2008
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Exactly Stephen…if a company tests employees, test them all, not just the ones on the bottom
#14 by Revellian at January 3rd, 2008
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That’s because alcohol is much more addictive than ecstasy…the point is, alcohol is worse than many illegal drugs
#15 by Revellian at January 7th, 2008
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Thanks Nimrodjo! It’s amazing how unhealthy alcohol and tobacco are…yet both are legal!
#16 by Revellian at January 7th, 2008
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Personally, I know 5 doctors who use drugs. Also, working as a bartender, I personally served 48oz. glasses of vodka to several doctors who routinely steadied their nerves before they performed surgery…one of whom was a heart surgeon. Many pain-killer addicts are extremely difficult to spot without having them tested! Thanks webrunner
#17 by Revellian at January 9th, 2008
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Hi Judy! Maybe they should be outlawed but shouldn’t be a criminal offense. I know too many young people who’s entire lives were ruined because they tried pot…one felony offense can ruin a life! I’ll come check out ur post
#18 by Revellian at April 22nd, 2008
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Hi Jasko! It’s amazing how many things are messed up in our society. Even by electing politicians we believe in cannot solve the problems. I believe that by writing about such subjects through blogging it can help get the ball rolling by making people more aware. I used to thing awareness is useless, but it often gets bigger and laws can be changed.
#19 by Revellian at April 30th, 2008
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Haha, that’s always fun Robin! I hope you didn’t spill any while walking. I think drug testing is a good idea, but they always test the wrong people. I really think doctors should be tested and it’s insane they are not. As long as we don’t do drugs, we don’t have to worry. I’m proud of being drug free and am happy to donate a fresh cup of urine for analysis