Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2012
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2012 News-Journal Corporation
Contact:  http://www.news-journalonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700
Note: gives priority to local writers
Author: David T. Nalley

TESTS KEEP PEOPLE SAFE

In response to the federal judge in Miami striking down the random 
drug testing for state employees, I am baffled. Are there no 
safeguards to protect the public from impaired public employees?

I have worked for a private company here in DeLand for 16 years and 
have been randomly tested nine times. With over 2,000 vehicles 
nationwide, it has been a longstanding policy to ensure that the 
public is protected from impaired driver-employees. The work 
environment includes motorized equipment, and fellow workers do not 
feel at risk by others being impaired. A safe work environment 
protects the employee and the public in general by helping ensure, to 
the best of one's ability, that sober and straight employees are 
interacting with the public in the workplace, and in company vehicles 
in a responsible manner.

State employees drive thousands of vehicles, ranging from compact 
cars to tractor trailers, and numerous heavy equipment pieces with no 
ability to monitor their safe operations of the above. It's a double 
standard if state employees have exclusive protection under the 
Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Personally, I do not find 
it intrusive. I take comfort that fellow employees are sober and 
straight and do not fear an unsafe work environment.

DAVID T. NALLEY, DeLand
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom