DRUG USE 'NO HAZARD'

Some of Calgary's garbage collectors are smoking marijuana on taxpayer time
but don't pose a public safety hazard, said one of the city's solid waste
staffers.

The employee -- who was suspended for four days last year on suspicion of
smoking dope at work -- disputed a co-worker's accusations garbage
collectors' on-the-job marijuana use was a safety risk.

But Keith Johnson, who denied smoking marijuana on the job, said it's
common practice for some staff collecting garbage in the city's northwest
to finish their routes and park their vehicles before getting high and
playing cards to complete their shifts.

"It's not a problem because no one's driving the trucks (stoned)," said
Johnson, who worked full-time in the solid waste department for six years.

Last week, garbage collector Darren Hunter accused co-workers and union and
city officials of ignoring widespread marijuana use. He also said he's
suffered considerable harassment for his whistleblowing.

A city manager said the department is willing to work with Hunter to ferret
out drug use.

"On the heels of Darren's concerns, we have talked to our supervisory staff
and foremen, that we do need to maintain our diligence," said Dave
Griffiths, general manager of the solid waste division.