Pubdate: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 Source: Courier-Journal, The (Louisville, KY) Copyright: 2005 The Courier-Journal Contact: http://www.courier-journal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/97 Note: Only publishes local LTEs Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) DAWDLING ON DRUGS It would be unconscionable if the General Assembly again fails to pass a law that would establish a drug testing regime at Kentucky's coal mines. The extended dance in which labor, industry and government officials have participated on this issue was predictable, and the details of any eventual legislation will be difficult to negotiate. But one thing is clear: Something needs to be done. The state's coal mines operate in regions where prescription drug addiction is a long-time problem, where meth labs have become a major industry and where marijuana production and distribution have frustrated law enforcement. Producing coal is dangerous and stressful work, which in the past led to increased smoking and drinking among miners. The burgeoning drug activity in Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky creates even more temptations to engage in self-destructive behavior. The report of a tri-state task force on such problems is about to be released, but its findings and recommendations, while certainly useful, are not prioritized specifically for this state. Solutions for Kentucky will require negotiation and action by Kentucky regulators and lawmakers, not endless governmental choreography. It's true that the relevant questions are not easy to answer. It's one thing to agree that anyone who contributes to a mining accident should be tested for drugs, but who decides who is a contributor? Everyone agrees that those guilty of using drugs should lose their mining or supervising privileges, but for how long? Should they be offered treatment and rehabilitation? If so, at whose expense? Should those who don't use drugs be penalized for failing to report those who do? One thing is certain: It's unfair that responsible companies that routinely do drug testing must compete for workers against the much larger number of irresponsible firms that don't. What's needed is a comprehensive approach that doesn't encourage addicted miners to shop around for an employer who will let them do as they please. The problem is big. Consider the stunning number contained in Courier-Journal reporter Alan Maimon's story on this subject: Some 70 percent of applicants at Black Mountain Resources fail the mining company's pre-employment drug screening. That's huge It's been two years since a bag of marijuana and reports of miners snorting crushed painkillers figured into a mine blast at Prestonsburg. But those who could do something about that kind of workplace travesty are still waltzing around the opportunity, on tiptoe. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake