Drug testing someone before you hire them only tells you that they're either 1) clean or 2) smart enough to google how long before the test they have to stop taking the drug. I'd say most hardcore addicts are recognizable without taking any test at all, so doing one test that the person can prepare for in advance tells you nothing at all.

wow so you think you can tell who is on drugs from appearance I would bet you can't

Please read again and notice I used the words 'most', 'hardcore' and 'addict'. Yes, I am reasonably certain that I could identify a large percentage of people who are severely addicted to a substance by looking at them. Actual addiction, as opposed to recreational use, leaves obvious physical signs and definitely has an impact on the person's behaviour.

Yeah 85, as someone who grew up around drug addicts it is very easy to tell when someone is addicted, even recreational users (like someone who uses more than once or twice a month) have a tell if you know what to look for.

Great theory, except that addicts don't know if or when they'll actually get hired. I had been job hunting for months before getting called in for an interview rather unexpectedly, and addicts often have trouble lasting for a few days much less weeks or months at a time.

That's kind of what I was going for, #137. When you're using drugs recreationally, it's pretty easy to google how long before job hunting you have to stop taking them, just in case you have to take a test. If you're a hardcore addict who can't bear putting a stop to their habit for a few weeks, then chances are you're already showing the physical and behavioural signs anyway. So what does one test at the beginning of the hiring process tell you? Probably nothing you didn't know anyway.

She meant that she should have taken drugs. Remember "just say no"?

The test was just the question "Do you take drugs? Yes or no" and the drugs made everyone stupid enough to answer yes.

The OP unfortunately will have to pick up the slack until replacements are hired. It's how it works, they will have to do the work of those other people for the time being to cover. The OP might get some sort of compensation maybe not, it's never guaranteed and it does happen a lot. If everyone had been out sick it would've been the same deal.

That is not how the real world works. If OP doesn't pick up the slack they will get fired. Yes the situation sucks, but sometimes you have to put your big pants on and deal with it.

Not necessarily. Boss might have just needed an excuse for firing people.