Pubdate: Fri, 31 Dec 2004
Source: The Monitor (TX)
Copyright: 2004 The Monitor
Contact:  http://www.themonitor.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1250
Author: James Osborne
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

RIO GRANDE CITY IMPLEMENTS NEW POLICY ON DRUG USE

Municipal Employees Will Be Fired Immediately If Tests Come Up Positive

RIO GRANDE CITY -- The city's efforts to expand its water services
recently hit a wall when the only man qualified to operate a necessary
piece of construction equipment was sent to rehab after testing
positive for drug use. While the city went looking for an outside
contractor to take over his duties, the employee kept his job and
stayed on the city's payroll.

According to city officials, it's been an ongoing problem that has now
been fixed. On Dec. 17, the city aldermen voted unanimously to amend
their drug policy so that all city employees will be terminated
immediately if they test positive for drugs or are found to be
drinking on the job.

Under the old policy, an employee was sent to a state-run drug
rehabilitation facility for an average four-week stay if they tested
positive. On their second violation, they were either fired or given
the option of resigning.

"It takes a toll," said Personnel Director Pricilla Gomez.

"We are already understaffed. Just having that one person out creates
the need for overtime, which costs money, and overburdens the employee
who has to fill in while that employee's being treated."

With only 95 employees, the five who were sent for treatment in 2004,
accounting for 18 weeks and counting lost work days, have put a burden
on the city, officials say.

"To have employees out for extended periods of time isn't good fiscal
policy," said Mayor Kevin Hiles.

"I asked, if you can do without them for three months, then why do you
need them at all? "

Every three months, the city conducts random testing of those
employees whose duties are deemed safety-sensitive, which includes
people like police officers, truck drivers and 9-1-1 operators.
Testing is also conducted if an employee has an accident or there is a
reasonable suspicion they are under the influence, according to City
Manager Leo Olivares.

Those employees who volunteer their problems with drugs or alcohol
before testing positive will be allowed to keep their jobs while they
seek treatment, according to Hiles.

"If they just test positive without telling anyone, it's more of a
deception," he said.

"Elected officials are held to a certain standard, and I think city
employees should be held to a standard with a reasonable amount of
personal responsibility."

Rio Grande City's new "zero tolerance" policy will bring them in line
with much of the Rio Grande Valley. Both Edinburg and McAllen
terminate any employee who tests positive.

"We looked at some other cities in the area when we set our policy,
and it's pretty consistent," said Edinburg City Manager Wendy
Smith-Sturgis.

The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that employees who
voluntarily seek treatment for drug addiction cannot be terminated.
But of those who do, many will relapse, according to McAllen City
Attorney Jim Darling.

"Our philosophy is if you go to rehab, you get at least one more
chance if you fall off the wagon," he said.

"Rehab's not perfect."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin