Pubdate: Fri, 08 Feb 2002
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 2002 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.augustachronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/31
Author: Carly Phillips, South Carolina Bureau

SHERIFF ADOPTS DRUG TESTING

EDGEFIELD, S.C. - Edgefield County Sheriff Adell Dobey has instituted a 
random drug-screening program for sheriff's deputies to assure residents 
that officers are not using illegal drugs. In his second year in office, 
Sheriff Dobey carried out a campaign promise to adopt Edgefield County's 
drug-testing policy for the sheriff's office. Edgefield has been testing 
county employees for at least six years, Edgefield County Administrator 
Wayne Adams said.

South Carolina law allows elected officials, such as Sheriff Dobey, to make 
their own decision about drug-testing policies, Mr. Adams said.

"For safety, security, ethical and moral reasons, I think the residents 
should know we are drug-free," Sheriff Dobey said. "Our integrity should be 
above reproach."

To begin the program, Sheriff Dobey, Chief Deputy Capt. Roger Lowe and two 
newly hired employees were tested at an Augusta laboratory. All four tested 
negative, he said.

All new employees will be tested, and random testing will be given to all 
deputies, jailers and dispatchers who are in what the sheriff describes as 
safety sensitive positions, he said.

The random testing schedule is set up by the testing facility and selects 
from Social Security numbers. "I am on the random list," Sheriff Dobey said.

Mr. Adams said most law enforcement agencies now consider the drug-testing 
of jailers and patrol officers to be an essential safeguard.

"Sheriff Dobey has done the right thing by testing these workers and has 
greatly lessened the county's legal exposure," Mr. Adams said. "Employees 
dealing with prisoners, carrying firearms or performing drug interdiction 
work are employees who should be tested."