MOST ON SHIVELY COUNCIL OPPOSE DRUG-TEST PLAN

A proposal to start random drug testing of Shively city employees is
facing opposition from a majority of the Shively City Council.

Mayor Sherry Conner proposed the idea, which is expected to be
considered for a vote at Monday's council meeting.

It would require 69 of the city's 81 employees to submit to drug
testing for controlled and illegal substances and participate in
annual classes about the dangers of workplace drug use and its
potential impact on co-workers. The city's dozen public works
employees hold commercial drivers' licenses and already submit to
ongoing random drug testing.

If adopted, Shively would become one of 32 Kentucky municipalities
designated as drug-free workplaces through the state's Drug Free
Workforce Certification Assistance program.

Under the voluntary program, which was enacted by the Kentucky General
Assembly in 2008, employers pay for annual testing for a variety of
substances, including marijuana, methadone, barbiturates, cocaine,
opium and OxyContin, as well as drugs that can be used to mask the use
of other substances.

In return, the Kentucky League of Cities, which provides Shively's
liability insurance, would give the city a 5 percent discount -- or
about $5,600 -- on its yearly premium of about $109,000.

Shively City Clerk Mitzi Kasitz estimates that the testing would cost
the city about $3,000 next year.

So far, Jeffersontown is the only Jefferson County municipality
participating in the program.

During the council's Nov. 2 meeting, three council members -- Patsy
Mayes, Delbert Vance and Ronnie Wathen -- said they oppose the
proposal, although Wathen has since said he is undecided. On Nov. 16,
Councilwoman Rose Renn went on record against the idea.

Council members Beverly Burton and Dale Dummitt have voiced support
for the order. Dummitt said that requiring the testing just makes good
sense.

"I think it's a good idea. They're operating machinery and involved in
high-speed chases," he said. "I think anyone who's drawing a paycheck
from the city should be tested."

"Why wouldn't we do it?" Burton said, in agreement.

Vance, who served on the city's police force for 23 years and also has
been the city's alcohol-beverage control officer, said drugs have
never been a problem with the city's work force.

"Why would we want to fix something that isn't there? You only fix it
if there's a problem," he said.

Renn said that she believed the testing would put an unnecessary
burden on city employees.

"Why make it mandatory? I just don't think we should put them through
that," she said.

Through the program, employees would be notified at random when
they're required to submit to testing and have 24 hours to report for
the procedure. The sample would then be shipped to one of 40
laboratories throughout the country.

Positive results would be forwarded to a qualified physician, who
would contact the employee as part of an investigation to determine
whether the employee is abusing alcohol or drugs.

Employees who come forward voluntarily with substance-abuse problems
would be offered counseling to help address the issue.

League guidelines do not require elected officials to undergo the
testing, but Gary L. Moberly, a consultant contracted by the Kentucky
League of Cities to coordinate the certification program, said that
many do as a sign of encouragement to their employees.

Shively Fire Chief Wendell Vincent has voiced support of the testing,
and at the Nov. 16 meeting, Shively Police Maj. Martin Kleier said
that he expected police officers to welcome the program.

"We're always being accused of buying drugs and getting drugs, I
haven't heard of any officer who's against it," Kleier said.