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.