Pubdate: Tue, 13 Feb 2007
Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV)
Copyright: 2007 Charleston Daily Mail
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76
Author: Matthew Thompson

KANAWHA DRUG TESTING PLAN READY TO GO

After two and half months in the hands of legal counsel, an employee 
drug proposal is ready for action by the Kanawha County Commission.

But Commission President Kent Carper said the plan would not be 
approved until it's discussed with all county officials.

"I want our elected officials to see it," Carper said. "They should 
have the opportunity to comment on it before we do anything."

The commission will unveil the proposal to officials at a regular 
meeting on Thursday.

Last December, the commission approved local law firm Steptoe & 
Johnson to work on the plan.

The firm sent the county a final draft proposal on Monday.

The plan will require employees in safety-sensitive positions to be 
randomly tested for drugs. The positions include any commission 
employee that routinely operates a vehicle, carries a firearm and 
uses dangerous tools, equipment or chemicals.

The drugs tested include marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates 
and PCP. Also the test can determine if person's blood alcohol 
content is .02 percent or above.

The policy will also allow a safe harbor plan, which allows employees 
to come forward and get counseling if they admit to a drug habit 
prior to testing.

A "second chance" option is also available where an employee can take 
a leave of absence to undergo drug and alcohol treatment. This is 
provided that he or she has not committed an act under the influence 
that would result in being fired.

Under this act, the employee could use sick leave, temporary 
disability, vacation and earned holiday time to seek treatment.

If the policy were approved, County Manager Brent Pauley said it 
would immediately go into effect for commission employees.

It would be the first drug-testing measure in use for the commission employees.

The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority and Kanawha 
County Ambulance Authority conduct random drug testing. The county 
school system also has a mandatory testing policy in place for bus drivers.

The City of Charleston already randomly screens city workers in 
safety-sensitive positions. The city's plan also has a safe harbor 
plan. Charleston implemented its testing policy in 2002.

Commissioner Dave Hardy said a drug policy would be a good tool for 
curbing on-the job accidents. Hardy pitched the original idea of 
instituting a drug policy at a commission meeting last fall.

"Many studies show that a good portion of on the job accidents 
involve impaired employees," Hardy said. "Most employers across the 
nation have already instituted a random drug testing policy."

Hardy said the current draft is still open for discussion with the 
commission. Attorneys with Steptoe & Johnson will be at Thursday's 
meeting to discuss the plan.

Hardy expects a final vote on the proposal next month.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine