Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Author: Associated Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) CITY TO TEST WORKERS FOR DRUGS The City Will Begin Drug Testing Most Municipal Employees. The Board of Alderman approved the policy this week. A date when testing would begin has not been announced. Aldermen said details would be worked out in the coming weeks. The plan would affect 163 employees in positions defined as "public safety" - those who drive city vehicles, carry weapons, fight fires or deal with sensitive information. Aldermen said the city will perform random tests on half that number each year, meaning that some employees may be tested more than once while others may not be tested at all. Drug and alcohol tests will also be required of new public safety employees before they start work. An additional 61 employees are already tested for drug and alcohol abuse on the job under an old city ordinance because they carry commercial driver's licenses. Another 37 employees will not have to be tested unless there is "reasonable suspicion" of drug or alcohol abuse, aldermen said. The tests would identify the use of marijuana, cocaine, phencyclidine, amphetamines and opiates, as well as a blood alcohol content above 0.04 percent. City Clerk Lisa Carwyle said the tests, at $50 each, will cost about $4,000 a year. The city will also require one hour per year of drug prevention education for all employees and two hours per year for supervisors. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin