I’m looking to get my security license here in NY.
Problem is, I take (prescribed) Xanax. I don’t have a police record nor any history of abuse. My buddy who is a guard has said he would vouch for me at his place of employment. But would the presence of Xanax in urine (even though it is prescribed) or the fact that I take Xanax in general automatically make any establishment refuse to hire me in a security role?
Basically, would the $200 or so bucks it will take to get the schooling and state license be a waste of time?
That’s going to be up the the employer. The only way you’re going to know for sure is to ask them or get a hold of an employee handbook and see if it says.
Some employers are okay with positive drug tests as long as you have a script for it. OTOH, some aren’t. The ones that aren’t usually are for jobs that where safety is involved. For example, truck drivers, guards that carry guns…that kind of stuff.
OTOH, it’s not uncommon for people that have a totally legitimate prescription and a totally valid reason to be taking certain types of meds to just let them clear out of their system, take the test and keep their mouth shut, and deal with possible random drug testing later.
But, like I said, you may want to see if they have a handbook posted online (or if your friend has one), or just email them and see what they say. It’s very possible they’ll say it’s fine as long as you have a prescription.