RETHINK TTC DRUG TESTS

Civil libertarians' relief over the TTC's retreat from an intrusive
plan to impose random drug testing on thousands of workers should be
tempered by concern over one aspect of the compromise measure that was passed.

Under a fitness-for-duty policy approved Thursday, job applicants
seeking "safety-sensitive" positions at the TTC, such as a driver,
would be subject to a mandatory drug test. This policy includes new
hires and existing employees hoping to transfer.

In arguing for random testing, TTC officials repeatedly stated that
their goal wasn't to probe what workers did on their own time. "All
we care about is what happens when they report for duty," TTC chair
Adam Giambrone told reporters after the meeting. But that is
manifestly untrue in the proposal to test applicants.

They would be subject to a urine test designed to reveal drug
consumption over earlier days, or weeks, depending on the chemical
taken and frequency of use. The implications of testing positive
would then be "discussed and addressed" with the applicant.

This could mean trouble for someone indulging in a recreational drug
on a weekend, or even vacationing where use of such drugs is permitted.

The TTC justifies this on the grounds that chronic use of
recreational drugs or alcohol could pose a safety hazard. But the TTC
has failed to show that there is a problem here, that employee
impairment levels (on the job) are on the rise.

This new policy needs more thought before it is implemented.