APPROPRIATE DRUG TESTS

Our position: The arrests of Orange County corrections staff show the
need for testing.

Orange County officials can improve the jail's tarnished image by
requiring the entire corrections staff to take drug tests.

Immediate drug testing of all corrections employees certainly is an
extraordinary measure. But it's also appropriate in light of an
ongoing investigation that resulted in the arrests of three officers
and the suspension of five others. Two of the arrested officers were
charged with smuggling drugs into the jail, and the other with
identity theft. One of the arrested officers even told investigators
that he was addicted to heroin.

Until now the county has not conducted random drug tests of the
corrections staff, even though such screening has been authorized for
years under the contract with the union representing jail officers.
County officials have said they needed changes in the contract
language before they can conduct testing.

But John Head, the lawyer representing the union, said union members
are willing to take drug tests right now. The union deserves to be
taken at its word. County officials have a responsibility to order
drug tests immediately for the entire jail staff -- from top-rank
managers to front-line officers.

Until drug screening is completed, all jail workers will be burdened
by a cloud of suspicion.

Drug testing the entire jail staff, imposing a rigorous schedule of
follow-up random drug screening and insisting on more vigilant
supervision of staff all will be essential to restore safety and
security to the jail.