PearlJammer

Hi,

I am interning for a congressman in Washington D.C. this summer for a few months. I'm not a regular drug user, but last night I smoked weed with a couple of close friends. I am now concerned that I may be drug tested when I get to Washington in a couple of days. I realize my judgement here was very bad, but what is the likelihood that I will be tested? Can anyone here who has interned for a congressman/senator in the past give me some insight here? I think the chances that I will be tested are slim since I wasn't given any pre-employment test, nor did the person who hired me mention anything about drug testing. Thank you for your time.

Josh

sky

Working for the government means that you will be under the constant threat of drug screenings. Usually, there is also a pre-employment drug screening. I'm not sure why you weren't given one.

While I haven't worked for any government office, I have worked for government contractors. As such, there are strict rules that anyone working for the government or a contractor be regularly screened for drugs. Usually this meant pre-employment screening along with random screenings. It's part of the deal with working for the gov't.

tkushiro

I've been here in the house of reps. for about 2 months. Never had one.

tlaktan

There are no drug tests for internships in the House of Representatives or the Senate. I've interned with the House for over a year. While it is certainly possible one could request a test due to poor performance at the workplace, unusual behavior, etc., there's no preliminary screening.