Pubdate: Wed, 16 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, Press Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG TESTS OF WORKERS IN COUNTY MAY BE HELD

Sheriff Ed Graybeal told the Washington County Commercial, Industrial and 
Agriculture Committee Monday night that the 188 employees in his department 
would undergo pre-employment mandatory drug screening. "Random drug testing 
is not done unless there is a reasonable suspicion," Graybeal said.

Dr. Marilyn Bishop of MedWorks, where "legal" drug tests would be conducted 
for Washington County employees, explained the "chain of custody procedure" 
required by the federal government for specimens.

County attorney John Rambo was asked to prepare employee drug testing 
information for the CIA Committee's review at its next meeting in July.

The CIA plans to recommend to the full commission that Washington County 
government adopt the Tennessee Drug Free Workplace Program to allow the 
county to get a 5 percent savings on its Workmans' Compensation premium. 
The savings, estimated at $15,000, would offset the cost of drug testing, 
which would cost $30 per employee per drug screen test, in addition to an 
annual $350 administrative fee.

Rambo is reviewing a policy draft prepared by Sharon Ellis, business health 
regional manager for Mountain States Health Alliance, 400 N. State of 
Franklin, at the request of the CIA Committee.

Under the arrangement, 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 the Department of Transportation for 
holders of commercial driver's licenses.

Pre-employee drug testing would be required on all new hires.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager