LAW AND BUDGETS SUPPORT FIREFIGHTER DRUG SCREENING

With no disrespect to West Barnstable Fire Chief Joe Maruca ("Funding
and court ruling prevent random drug tests," Letters, Nov. 6) or
firefighters, as they are both well-deserving of our thanks and
respect, there is a pervasive lack of education concerning random drug
testing and its importance to mitigating substance misuse in the workplace.

Here are facts everyone should be aware of.

- - 75 percent of substance abusers are employed.

- - More than 10 percent of employees abuse drugs and/or
alcohol.

- - Massachusetts has one of the worst substance abuse problems in the
nation.

- - Random drug testing for safety-sensitive positions is legal in all
states per federal statute and associated case law.

- - Firefighters, police and highway personnel are clearly involved in
safety-sensitive positions, and the above statistics adequately
demonstrate a high likelihood of substance misuse.

- - Accurate random drug screens can be done for less than $50 per
test.

- - Random drug screening has proved to be an effective deterrent to
substance misuse if applied properly and in concert with education and
employee assistance programs.

Peter Cholakis

Hopkinton

The writer is a partner in Navigent3 in Natick, which offers drug
screening and programs for maintaining a drug-free workplace.