Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jun 2004
Source: Johnson City Press (TN)
Copyright: 2004 Johnson City Press
Contact:  http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983
Author: Bob Robinson, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

CIA COMMITTEE TAKES STEP TOWARD DRUG POLICY

The Washington County Commercial, Industrial and Agriculture Committee 
Monday night took the initial step toward implementing the Tennessee Drug 
Free Workplace Program for county employees. The cost of the program, $30 
per employee per drug screen test, in addition to an annual $350 
administrative fee, will be offset by a 5 percent savings in the cost of 
workers' compensation, which George Jaynes, Washington County mayor, 
estimated to be $15,000.

The committee authorized Shannon Ellis, business health regional manager 
for Mountain States Health Alliance, 400 N. State of Franklin, to prepare a 
policy draft to be reviewed by John Rambo, county attorney, prior to the 
next CIA committee meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday.

Under the arrangement recommended by the committee:

- - 10 percent of the 417 county employees would be randomly selected, via 
computer, for drug testing each quarter. Fifty percent of those tested 
would be truck drivers for County Highway and Solid Waste Departments, a 
requirement of Department of Transportation for holders of Commercial 
Drivers License. Employees would have two hours from the time they are 
notified to have drug testing performed at MedWorks, 1019 W. Oakland Ave., 
Johnson City.

- -The county would have a zero tolerance policy that prohibits employees 
from taking a prescription drug without a prescription; and,

- - Pre-employment drug testing would be required on all new hires.

Training on drug screen testing and procedures would be conducted for all 
supervisors and employees. A 30-day notice would also be given before 
random employee drug screen tests begin.

Commissioner Paul Woodby said "a zero tolerance policy was an important 
requirement when you consider the county's liability" in the event an 
employee is involved in an accident while on county business.

Commissioner Eddie Haren suggested the committee review a draft of the 
policy before recommending it to the full commission for consideration. "We 
need to know all the nuances and how employees will be treated. There are 
several sides to every issue. We need to make sure we understand all 
aspects of the program before we jump in and do it," Haren said.

After reviewing the draft, the committee is expected to refer the drug free 
policy to the full commission for consideration at its next meeting at 6 
p.m. on June 28.

In other action, the CIA committee requested John Rambo, county attorney, 
prepare a memo to be sent to all county department heads, including elected 
office holders, to inform them of the 30 hours per week requirement before 
employees would be eligible to receive county benefits, including health 
insurance.

Commissioner Bob Barnett, committee chairman, said "I have been on this 
committee five years. It has been really a strain to keep insurance costs 
down. The standard 30 hours per week has been set before."

Commissioner Ken Lyons made a motion that "if a county employee does not 
work 30 hours per week, they are not eligible for benefits." He withdrew 
the motion when Woodby suggested Rambo review the matter to ensure the work 
week standard would be enforced in an equitable manner.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager