NURSING HOME WORKERS NEED TO BE DRUG TESTED

Letter to the Editor

I wonder how many people know that nursing home employees who have access
to drugs on a daily basis do not have to be tested for drug use themselves.
I've been an ombudsman volunteer for a year now, and I was stunned to learn
that no law exists for drug testing of nursing home employees!

With all the trouble we hear about nursing homes, one would think this
would be mandatory for employment. All the information I have received
shoots down owner's claims that drug testing is too expensive. What about
the safety of the residents? How expensive is too expensive for that?
Please write to your state representative if you find this nontesting
practice as appalling as I do.

- -- Ferrelyn J. Hicks
Lone Grove