DRUG TESTING

Start With Goldman

ONE question comes to mind when listening to Charleston Mayor Jay Goldman
propose testing every city employee from garbage collectors to every member
of City Council for drugs: What, exactly, has he been smoking?

Most importantly, Goldman's proposal is an unconstitutional violation of
privacy. Employees should not be randomly forced to pee in a cup unless
their jobs somehow impact public safety.

Sure, test police, who are authorized to carry guns and drive at high
speeds throughout the city. Sure, test garbage truck drivers, or anyone
else who drives a city vehicle on the job. But every single employee? No way.

Beyond the important constitutional argument, though, is a practical one.
The city is facing an enormous budget crisis, to the point where Goldman
wants to lay off a good number of police officers.

Testing every employee on a regular basis won't be cheap. Nor will
defending inevitable and justifiable lawsuits.

The state Supreme Court has struck down random testing of private employees
unless their employers have reason to suspect drug use or if their jobs
involve public safety. The same principle should apply to public employees.

But Goldman wants to test every city worker. "I'll step up and be number
one at the front of the line," Goldman said. As nutty as this proposal is,
that may be a very good idea.