A donor came in for a drug test. He had face tattoos, saggy pants, and looked like a real-life gangster. I was on my toes, anticipating potential issues. He was very respectful as I asked for his identification information, answering all questions with “yes sir” and “no sir.”

When he was in the bathroom, I listened vigilantly as he tested. Hearing is one sense we use to help determine if we receive a sample we can accept. Everything sounded just as I would expect when a legitimate void is produced. I was convinced, despite my initial reservations, that he had produced a good sample from his body.

As I was testing it, using an instant testing device that many of our clients prefer, the donor asked if I could tell him results “right now.” I said “yes, you are negative.”

He smiled and gave me a big hug. He said he had just gotten out of rehab, and he has been sober for 14 months. He said this was the first drug test he had ever passed in his life. I congratulated him on his sobriety and wished him luck with his new job.