Pubdate: Sat, 24 May 2003
Source: Sand Mountain Reporter, The (AL)
Copyright: 2003sSand Mountain Reporter.
Contact:  http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1713
Author: Trisha Forsythe

TASK FORCE CONTINUES EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

Members of the Methamphetamine (Meth) Task Force have been working over the 
last 18 months to educate the public about the growing meth problem in 
Marshall County. They are currently working to implement programs to 
promote public awareness and further educate the community and the business 
community about the problem.

The Task Force held a meeting with local businesses on Thursday to educate 
them on meth and the problem it is causing.

"This meeting has two purposes," said Pat Allen, a member of the 
Albertville City Council who sits on the Task Force business committee. 
"The first purpose is to heighten awareness of the meth problem in the 
county and the second is to educate the businesses that are not drug 
testing (about drug testing policies/programs)."

The group of businessmen and managers present at the meeting heard from 
Bobby Elrod and John Springfield, who work together in the safety division 
at Gold Kist Inc.

Elrod and Springfield encouraged the businesses to develop a drug 
policy/program. Gold Kist implemented a drug testing program 12 years ago 
and it has been a good policy for the company, said Elrod. Both Elrod and 
Springfield said the establishment of a drug testing policy was important. 
Elrod said Gold Kist was willing to share its drug testing policy with 
other businesses interested in starting a drug testing policy/program. The 
policy could be used as a guideline for the business to follow in creating 
its own or just to have an identical copy, he said.

"A policy like this takes dedication," Elrod said. "You have to give your 
full attention (to the program)."

Springfield added, "You have to have confidence in your program and be 
consistent with it."

The Task Force used the meeting to educate businesses on how a drug testing 
policy/program could benefit their business and the community. Though a 
drug testing policy would cost companies a little money up front to perform 
the test, it would save in the long run with other costs they pay when they 
hire an employee. The drug testing policy also helps weed out the employees 
businesses might not want. With the drug policy/program the company also 
gives the employees who might abuse drugs of any kind the opportunity to 
seek help.

"The employee can tell a supervisor that he/she has a problem and they want 
help," Elrod said. "If they seek help, we offer a one-time help through the 
EAP (Employee Assistance Program), and we will pay for it."

Some concern was raised about the legal aspects of establishing a drug 
program after employees had been hired. Representatives of a few of the 
businesses present were worried about the employees who had been there for 
many years.

Springfield said it would be good to seek advice from the company's 
attorney or get some form of legal advice. However, he said Gold Kist 
didn't have any problem with it. Springfield said that it would be a good 
idea to inform the employees a couple of months in advance to what was 
being done and the target date of implementation.

"When you implement the policy, make sure the employees understand the 
policy starts that day and has nothing to do with anything in days prior to 
the implementation of the policy," Springfield said.

Under the policy Gold Kist adopted, employees have to have a drug test 
before they are hired and they must sign a consent form stating they would 
consent to the drug policy of the company. According to Elrod and 
Springfield, Gold Kist informs the applicants of the drug policy and what 
the employee is required to do under the policy before they sign the 
consent form. The consent form goes into the personnel file of every 
employee so if any questions arise than they have a copy on file.

Sparks told the attendees they could visit workplace advisor.com, a web 
site offering legal advice for businesses for answers to potential questions.

Those in attendance of the meeting also heard about meth, how it is made 
and what all goes into the manufacturing of the drug from Bill Stricklend, 
chief investigator for the District Attorney's office.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens