GRETNA TOUGHENS DRUG POLICY

Gretna employees who test positive for drugs will be fired under a new
policy adopted by the Gretna City Council this week.

"I wanted to make sure we have the closest to a zero tolerance for
employees," said City Councilman Ricky Templet, who spearheaded the adoption
of the new policy. The council unanimously approved the ordinance at its
regular meeting Monday night.

Templet also said he wanted to make sure all employees are treated the same
way when it comes to drug issues.

"It came to my attention sometime back that we had some employees who tested
positive for drugs who were fired and some who tested positive and weren't,"
he said. "Everybody should be on the same level playing field."

The policy will not apply to employees of the Gretna Police Department,
which has its own drug policy.

Under the new policy, employees will be fired after testing positive for
drugs unless they appeal the results and ask for a second test.

Conviction on any narcotics violation as defined by state law also will
result in termination under the new ordinance.

Under existing law, the city may conduct random drug and alcohol tests of
employees "who occupy safety-sensitive or security-sensitive positions." In
addition, the city may require any employee to take a drug or alcohol test
if there is "reasonable suspicion" that the employee is abusing drugs or
under the influence of alcohol.

An employee involved in an accident while at work automatically is required
to take a drug and alcohol test under the existing policy. The city's
existing policy also calls for firing workers who refuse to take a drug test
when the city requires one.