BUS DRIVER TESTS POSITIVE FOR DRUGS

While the Department of Public Works aggressively has imposed its
drug-free workplace policy with frequent random drug testing of school
bus drivers, Guam parents say more needs to be done to prevent drivers
under the influence from operating buses that carry children.

Yesterday, DPW Director Joe Duenas announced that a school bus driver
has been pulled from driving duty after the driver tested positive for
illegal drug use.

"This matter will be dealt with swiftly and seriously," Duenas said.
"As a public official, I am obligated to ensure the safety of the
public whom we serve daily, as well as the many hardworking employees
here at the department."

The driver was among 126 school bus drivers tested during a random
drug testing on Aug. 16. Drivers were tested for marijuana, cocaine,
amphetamines, opiates and phencyclidine.

Duenas said that since he took the helm of the agency in February, he
has been committed to a zero-tolerance drug-free workplace policy.

He also encourages people to use the agency's "How's my driving?" hot
line -- 646-4DPW -- to report problems with school bus drivers.

Concerned Parents

While parent Dolores Torres, a mother of two elementary school
children, said she is pleased with Duenas' work as DPW director, there
needs to be a more concerted effort government-wide to address illegal
drug use in DPW's ranks and other government agencies.

"DPW should continue with random drug testing and more programs about
(drug abuse) prevention," Torres, 40, said. "That helps to assure
parents like me that the government has the best interests of children
in mind. I don't want to think about what would happen if some drunk
or drugged driver got behind the wheel of a school bus filled with our
children. We need to prevent that."

Parent Felix Aquero, 36, of Chalan Pago said he is concerned about the
timing of the most recent random drug testing. He said the department
waited too long to conduct a test, since schools began session a day
after -- Aug. 17.

"The government can't wait until the last minute to take them in for
testing," Aquero said. "If you wait too long, you're gonna slip and
allow someone who is doing drugs to drive around children."

It's not the first time that DPW school bus drivers have tested
positive for illegal drugs. In April, seven DPW employees tested
positive. In a round of drug testing in August last year, five school
bus drivers failed their tests.

To the Point

A Department of Public Works bus driver was removed from duty after he
tested positive for illegal drug use, according to the agency, which
conducted random drug testing of 126 DPW bus drivers earlier this month.

Testing Policy

The government of Guam drug-free workplace policy requires government
employees in safety-or health-related jobs to be tested regularly for
drug use.

The following positions are some of those that fall under the policy:
School bus drivers; chemical-dependency treatment specialists;
community-health nurses; conservation officers; correction officers;
correction social workers; criminologists, crime analysts and crime
scene technicians; customs officers; dental assistants and
dental-health specialists; firefighters, recruits, inspectors and
captains; guards; detention facility guards; equipment operators;
lifeguards; nurses; parole officers; police officers; psychiatric
nurses; social workers; territorial park patrol officers;
vehicle-safety inspectors; vocational-rehabilitation counselors; and
youth service workers.

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Department of Administration

Hot Line

The "How's my driving?" hot line is 646-4DPW.

If you see a bus speeding on the road or failing to follow basic
street safety procedures, call the hot line.

Give the hot-line clerk details of the incident, including: bus
number, what happened, where and what time it happened.

The clerk will log the complaint and a Department of Public Works
safety officer will be dispatched and, depending on the severity of
the complaint, Guam Police Department also will be advised.

The log will be forwarded daily to the Public Works director for
review.

DPW employees who show a trend of complaints will be disciplined as
necessary.

Department of Public Works