MANDATORY DRUG TESTING POSSIBLE FOR COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS

SAN BERNARDINO -- Random drug testing may become mandatory for San
Bernardino County elected officials and department heads.

A letter was sent Thursday to Chairman Paul Biane and all County
Board of Supervisors requesting the drug testing from San Bernardino
County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dick Larsen.

"Mandatory random drug testing ensures the public that exempt
employees are upholding their Oath of Office and the laws of the
State of California," Larsen said. "Illegal drug use should not be tolerated."

These employees are not represented by labor unions and consist of
elected officials, department heads and their top management staff.

The county currently has the option to drug or alcohol test employees
if there is reasonable cause. This policy would make random drug
testing mandatory.

"This is no different than any business would want from their
employees," Larsen said.

He is recommending the mandatory random drug testing program be
established in conjunction with input from Human Resources Department
and County Counsel.

A policy would be adopted by the Board of Supervisors.

"It is a privilege to work for this County," said Larsen. "The
elected officials and exempt employees should lead by example and be
held to a standard that the public expects."