SALIVA DRUG TESTING IS THE BEST METHOD

In regards to the city of Greenup's plans to initiate random drug tests for
some employees, the very nature of the methods used for ``screening" reduce
these ``tests" to nothing more than ``lifestyle testing." Furthermore, only
certain lifestyles result in a ``failure" of these tests.

It's not about public safety or employee safety and it is not about
identifying true, real-time impairment of employees. It's about fear,
control and oppression.

Moreover, the most popular methods of testing (urine, sweat, blood and
hair) do not measure true, ``real time" impairment. They only measure
non-psychoactive metabolites that can be present days or weeks after the
effects of substances have subsided.

What we have is a flawed system whereby a majority of impaired people
aren't detected until after they have hurt or killed someone else or
themselves while, at the same time, many unimpaired individuals involved in
accidents may be fired/prosecuted because they ``tested" positive for
something that took place days or weeks ago on their own time.

Meanwhile, those who would have other individuals submit to the tests
claim, ``It may not be a fair or effective test but it is all we have."

This excuse will no longer hold water.

Saliva testing will prove to be cheaper, simpler and less time consuming.
Most important, saliva testing will measure what employers, insurers and
others in ``authority" say they want: up-to-the-minute impairment of
individuals.

The media needs to keep this story in the news and publicize the efficacy
and popularity of this new technology as it develops in order to expose
those who are justifiably concerned for the safety and well being of
individuals and societies.

Myron Von Hollingsworth
Fort Worth, Tex.