Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jul 2007
Source: Yakima Herald-Republic (WA)
Copyright: 2007 Yakima Herald-Republic
Contact:  http://www.yakima-herald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/511
Author: Phil Ferolito
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

SUNNYSIDE OKS DRUG TESTING

SUNNYSIDE -- City officials Monday night said they hope approving a 
measure subjecting all city employees and elected officials to random 
drug testing sends a positive message to the community.

After having questions answered about the cost of administering 
tests, how they'd be conducted and penalties for testing positive, 
council members unanimously approved the measure during Monday 
night's regular meeting.

"Which we think sends a message to the entire community that we're 
committed to being drug-free by subjecting ourselves to random 
testing," City Manager Bob Stockwell said.

Police Chief Ed Radder said his department supports the measure 
because it displays his officers' commitment to uphold the law, and 
it applies to everyone at the city.

"It was a no-brainer," he said after the meeting. "It's surely one 
opportunity for us to make a statement to the community."

But discussions about random drug testing hasn't gone as smoothly in 
Yakima, where a deadlock between the City Council and police officers 
have sent the matter into arbitration.

Sunnyside city officials, however, have worked with unions the past 
two years to agree on the policy that affects both union and nonunion 
employees as well as elected officials, Stockwell said.

City employees who test positive for illegal drugs or legal drugs 
without a prescription will be fired. Elected officials testing 
positive will have to answer to residents during a public meeting, 
and their test results will be disclosed, Stockwell said.

He assured council members that there would be an appeals process for 
anyone who may test positive for drugs, and that tests would be 
conducted along current standards.

Anyone admitting to having a drug problem before being tested would 
have an option of seeking treatment without being fired, he added.

Currently, all city employees are drug-tested when hired, and several 
employees who have jobs that require driving are already subject to 
random testing through Yakima County government.

Under the new ordinance, all city employees and city officials will 
be added to the county pool, Stockwell said.

Being part of the larger pool not only reduces the cost, but also the 
number of employees or officials from the city who will be tested 
annually, he said.

Sunnyside isn't the only city in the Yakima Valley to enact random 
drug testing, as Selah also has a similar policy.

But in Yakima -- where police officers are challenging the City 
Council's support of random testing -- a decision whether to enact 
such a policy may not come until September, when an arbitrator is 
expected to make a ruling based on arguments presented late last 
month during a hearing.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman