VOLUNTARY DRUG TESTS FOR OFFICERS URGED

RCMP officers should be encouraged to submit to voluntary drug
testing, said Staff-Sgt. Chuck Doucette, head of the RCMP's drug
awareness program in B.C.

"Those of us in drug awareness have discussed drug testing, and many
of us would gladly volunteer to be tested," he said yesterday.

"I've never said there should be mandatory testing, but I do say, "Why
don't we lead by example?"

Doucette said drug testing would identify officers with addiction
problems before they became serious, and could give colleagues and
family a chance to help.

"But like any other organization, there are huge human-rights issues
that have to be dealt with," he said.

* Vancouver police and the RCMP aren't planning to follow Edmonton
police in introducing specific prohibitions against cops associating
with criminals.

B.C.'s RCMP spokesman Cpl. Grant Learned and Vancouver police
spokeswoman Const. Anne Drennan both said a code of conduct already
exists for officers.