Pubdate: Sat, 21 May 2005
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2005, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Petti Fong
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

BUS FIRM MULLS DRUG TESTS FOR DRIVERS AFTER POT BUST

VANCOUVER -- Coast Mountain Bus Co. is considering random drug testing of 
its drivers after two of them were fired this week because an RCMP officer 
saw them in a vehicle sharing a marijuana cigarette.

The two drivers, in uniform, were not in a company bus but driving to work 
when police spotted them.

It's the third such incident in less than six months, which has raised 
concerns within the company, said spokesman Doug McDonald.

In February, a passenger called police after smelling alcohol on a driver, 
who was later fired. Last November, a driver was fired after receiving a 
24-hour roadside suspension from police for having alcohol in his system 
while on the job.

"It's terribly concerning that all this has happened in such a short time 
frame, but we feel this is just random events happening," Mr. McDonald 
said. "We are going over everything we have to make sure we have the best 
programs in place."

Mr. McDonald said random drug testing has not been used in any other 
transit jurisdiction that he's aware of, but Coast Mountain has raised that 
possibility with the bus drivers' union.

The three incidents are not indications of growing problems, said CAW 111 
president Steve Sutherland.

"We see these as anomalies," he said yesterday. "These are low numbers when 
you consider there are 2,700 drivers."

Mr. Sutherland said counselling services are in place and the union is 
still looking into whether to appeal the latest dismissals.

Doug McCallum, chairman of TransLink, the Greater Vancouver Transportation 
Authority, said he would not support random drug testing of drivers.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy and we have to be extremely tough. The 
drivers know that when they sign up to be bus drivers," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman