DRUG TESTS WON'T IMPROVE SAFETY OF TTC

Re TTC rejects drug testing its drivers (July 16). There are strong reasons
for not having widespread drug testing programs. For starters, drug tests
don't test for impairment, which is really the issue here.

Also, since metabolites of marijuana stay in the body for up to a month,
drug tests typically focus attention on relatively harmless marijuana use,
while harder drug use, including heavy drinking on the weekend, resulting in
an impairing hangover, can easily go undetected. Finally, the drug test
supporters make the serious mistake of assuming that drug testing is a
cure-all for public safety concerns.

Since the proposed drug testing can't possibly tell who will be safe and who
will not once the job is offered, it is simply a waste of time and money,
and yes, an infringement on personal and democratic rights.

Dave Haans
Toronto

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"