TRANSPORTATION DEPT. GETS TOUGH ON DRUGS

The Transportation Department is clamping down on employee consumption of
booze, dope, near beer, cough medicine and even some prescription drugs at
work.

The department has issued a list of substances banned under a new policy.
Along with alcohol and "street drugs" such as marijuana, cocaine and
heroin, the list includes: "very low alcohol products" such as beer with
0.5 per cent alcohol by volume; non-prescription drugs like cough medicine
with codeine; and some unidentified prescription drugs.

As well as ensuring the safety of employees and the public, the policy aims
to project "the appropriate public perception of the department," by
prohibiting:

% bringing drugs or alcohol on department property;

% using or possessing drugs or alcohol during work;

% reporting for or being at work under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

It applies to all employees, from the minister to the snowplow operator,
and a breach could result in suspension, "other serious disciplinary
action" or dismissal.

"This is a serious infringement on people's rights," said Joan Jessome,
president of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union, which represents
Transportation employees.

She only learned of the policy, adopted in February, when members
complained. The union is seeking a legal analysis of it.

"There's nothing that has come to us that says this is a problem to
government and that they need to put some kind of a policy in place to be
able to stop it."

Jessome said it appears department staffers cannot even drink a glass of
wine with lunch.

"That's not uncommon for anybody," she said.

Jessome said she's "incensed" about the ban on some over the counter drugs.

"A lot of people can't go to work without a decongestant," she said, and
many need to take prescription drugs at work.

"For the average civil servant, there is no reason why they can't take
prescribed medicine," she said, adding she can understand why some types
might be banned for equipment operators.

Transportation Minister Ron Russell says the strict intoxication rules are
necessary because so many employees operate heavy equipment or drive.

The policy is aimed at ensuring sobriety, Russell said. He said he only saw
a half-page description of the new rules and wasn't familiar with a
prohibition on near-beer.

"The policy simply states that you're not to imbibe on the job, you're not
to have liquor on the job site and that you must be sober," said Russell,
who didn't know if it means he can't have a beer while on break at the
legislature.

Even a single drink over lunch is a bad idea for people in some jobs, he said.

"If a person is flying an airplane or driving a snowplow, yeah, I would
object to them having a drink over lunch. Otherwise, common sense prevails,
I guess," Russell said.