DRUG-FREE POLICE

Random Drug Testing Will Increase Public Confidence In Huntsville Police
Officers

Huntsville's finest have no drug problems, as far as Police Chief Compton
Owens knows. But Owens also knows that what he doesn't know - and what some
of the public may suspect - can hurt his department. That's why he wants to
institute random drug tests for the police force.

If the chief has his way, every officer on the force - from the greenest
rookie to Owens himself - will have to be screened at random for illegal
drugs and steroids. The goal is to deter the use of the drugs and to
maintain the public's confidence.

The chief is on the right track.

Last summer, a Huntsville officer was arrested for felony possession of
anabolic steroids. Compared to those who use marijuana, heroin, cocaine or
other illicit drugs, steroids may not seem like such a big deal.

While they may not be hallucinogens, steroids have been known to cause mood
swings, aggressive behavior and as many as 70 other side effects. In some
circumstances, it might be more dangerous for an officer to be on steroids
than to be high on a hallucinogenic drug.

The allure of steroids is that they help create muscle mass. It's been
well-publicized that some athletes, particularly some baseball and football
players, have come to rely on these so-called supplements.

Officers who have dedicated themselves to building muscle mass the
old-fashioned way - rigorous repetitions, regular visits to the gym,
enduring the sweat and soreness - feel that a suspicious public thinks they
too may be using steroids.

Just by trying to be as fit and strong as they can be, these officers may
be eroding some of the public's confidence in them and their department.

The idea here isn't to suggest that Huntsville's 348 officers are walking
drug addicts or that they are hyped up on hormones. Random drug-testing, in
the words of Chief Owens, "will keep an honest person honest."

It will also give the department an added layer of credibility.
Law-enforcement, more than any other lawful profession, comes into contract
with illicit drugs and drug traffickers on a daily basis. The public needs
assurance that its officers are resisting temptation and opportunity.

Mia Puckett, the city's human resources director, has included in her
budget proposal for next year funds for two additional employees so that
police officers and firefighters can be given drug tests.

And it's so important to some officers that they have volunteered to pay
for their own.

But this shouldn't be necessary. We urge the mayor and City Council to
approve the additional human resources positions so that Chief Owens and
the public can be assured of a drug-free police force.