ACLU BATTLES DRUG RULE

March 17 - A state policy requiring people in the greyhound-racing
industry to submit urine samples for drug tests was challenged
Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado.

The lawsuit says state officials can demand the samples on a random
basis, without any suspicion that the individuals to be tested have
been using drugs.

"Random urine testing unfairly treats innocent workers like
criminals," said Mark Silverstein, legal director of the ACLU of Colorado.

"Random urine testing treats people like criminals. No one had any
cause to believe that Cynthia Timm or Gary Timm were using drugs."

The Timms are plaintiffs in the lawsuit. They are Colorado Springs
residents who in 1997 obtained a license to train greyhounds at
various kennels around Colorado.

After the urine policy was adopted in 1999, Cynthia Timm was randomly
selected and ordered to provide a sample of her urine, the suit says.
When she refused, her license was revoked. In November, Gary Timm was
randomly selected. Because he could not afford to lose his license and
livelihood, Silverstein said, Gary Timm submitted the sample under
duress.

The suit, filed in Denver District Court, asks the court to restore
Cynthia Timm's license, to declare the drug policy unconstitutional
and to stop random tests in the future.

Defendants included the Division of Racing Events at the Colorado
Department of Revenue. Officials were not available for comment late
Thursday.