Pubdate: Sat, 14 Apr 2001
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2001 The Dallas Morning News
Contact:  http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117

LIFESTYLE TESTING

 From the very first "drug test" to the present, the very nature of the 
methods used for "screening" reduce these "tests" to nothing more than 
"lifestyle testing." Furthermore, only certain lifestyles result in a 
"failure" of these tests. It's not about public safety or employee safety 
and it is not about identifying true real-time impairment of employees 
before their shift begins ­ it's about fear, control and oppression.

My former employer blatantly practiced "random enforcement of their random 
lifestyle testing policy" depending on who you were and how important you 
were to the company. I quit my management position after 10 years for that 
reason alone.

Moreover, the most popular methods of testing (urine, blood and hair) do 
not measure true, "real time" impairment. They only measure 
non-psychoactive metabolites that can be present days or weeks after the 
effects of substances have subsided. ("Soft" drugs remain "visible" longer 
than "hard" drugs ­ prompting people to use the more damaging, addictive 
and deadly substances ­ like alcohol ­ to avoid detection.)

What we have is a flawed system whereby a majority of impaired people 
aren't detected until after they have hurt or killed someone else or 
themselves. However, many unimpaired individuals involved in accidents are 
fired/prosecuted because they "tested" positive for something that took 
place days or weeks ago. Meanwhile, those who would have other individuals 
submit to the tests claim, "it may not be a fair or effective test but it 
is all we have." This excuse/dilemma will no longer hold water.

Saliva testing will prove to be cheaper (probably a great deal cheaper as 
currently used methods can average $60 and up per test). Those truly 
interested in the "bottom line" will have the chance to prove it. Saliva 
testing will be simpler (it can be performed by almost anyone with chain of 
custody problems being next to nil). Saliva testing will be much less time 
consuming (it can be administered on site ­ before and even after a shift ­ 
instead of having to drive people to the "clinic").

Most importantly, saliva testing will measure and indicate, without a 
doubt, what employers, insurers and others in "authority" say they 
fervently require and want: true, current, real time, up to the minute 
impairment of individuals.

The media need to keep this story in the news and publicize the efficacy 
and popularity of this new technology as it develops in order to expose 
those who are justifiably concerned for the safety and well-being of 
individuals and societies. Then, those who use current methods merely as 
instruments of intimidation, punishment, control, fear and terror against 
one's lifestyle will be exposed for what they are and what they have chosen.

Whereas we must choose between living in a free society or a drug free 
society-it will be obvious that they have chosen the latter while betraying 
and forsaking the former.

MARK HONTS, Fort Worth, Texas 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart