COURT DECISION ON WORKPLACE IMPAIRMENT DISTRESSING

As a Salem area employer, I wanted to comment on the recent decision
from the Oregon Supreme Court regarding Robert Washburn's case.

My primary concern is with my employees' ability to function at work,
and current drug testing programs fail to properly address this issue.
Since almost all workplace drug tests measure only the by-products of
previous marijuana use, a patient such as Mr. Washburn may test
positive without being impaired. Ironically, the prescription drugs
allowed by the court wouldn't bar him from work, but may impact his
performance more than the cannabis over which he lost his job.

I hope the Supreme Court's decision doesn't encourage other employers
to abandon a rational and common-sense approach to workplace impairment.

Bill Hildebrandt

Lafayette