The East Baton Rouge Parish personnel board on Wednesday upheld the firing of an electrical inspector over a positive drug test even though he was described as an excellent employee. Several board members said their hands are tied by the zero-tolerance drug policy they must enforce. "If I could offer compassion, this is the case I would do it in," said Chairman Michael Remson as he explained to Belden "Joe" Fontenot Jr. that the board can consider only whether the city-parish properly carried out its policies. [continues 340 words]
His criminal career path from fetus to death row felon began like most: poverty, absent father, under-educated mother addicted to cocaine and prescription drugs. By fifth grade, B.D.'s problems begin -- escalating absences from school, grade failures, his aunt killed at his home, his mother sent to prison. By 14, he's had his first beer and marijuana cigarette. At age 18, he drops out of ninth grade. At age 22, he is arrested for cocaine possession and enters the adult criminal system, serving time and on probation. [continues 1586 words]
Special courts offer alternatives focusing on substance abuse treatment A parade of people wearing everything from fast-food restaurant uniforms to casual shorts go before "Drug Court" Judge William Morvant each week to listen to the judge review their progress of staying straight, keeping a job. He keeps track of how many support group meetings they attended and reviews notes from the treatment specialists on how they are progressing in therapy group meetings. He hears reports on how a job search is going. [continues 1307 words]
