CAMPUS WORKERS SUSPENDED AMID DRUG SUSPICIONS

University Investigates 'Inappropriate' Behavior

Sixteen UC Berkeley employees, under investigation for possible workplace
drug offenses, were suspended last week.

UC police and university officials are investigating the employees, all of
whom work in the Physical Plant and Campus Services department, a division
of UC Berkeley responsible for the maintenance of the school.

University officials characterized the workers' behavior as "inappropriate."

Preliminary findings suggest that Physical Plant employees used or sold
small quantities of drugs while on the job, or both, said UC police Capt.
Bill Cooper.

Physical Plant administrators did not detail why they suspended the
employees, only saying that it involved drugs.

Physical Plant Director Eric Haemer said his department's investigation is
"in progress" and would not comment on the scope of the investigation.

No criminal charges have been filed against the workers, Cooper said.

Cooper said investigators do not know if the employees' activities were a
crime or simply a violation of university policy.

"If someone was actually selling, that would involve criminal charges,"
Cooper said. "A little tiny bit of marijuana is more of an administrative
issue."

Cooper said UC police rarely investigate university employees in relation
to drug offenses. He said drug use on the job is usually a personnel matter.

Physical Plant officials referred the case to UC police about a month ago.
Cooper said he does not know why police were given the case.

Cooper would not say how or if the case is different from standard
administrative issues.

Al Taylor, a manager at the department, said he has never seen any workers
use or sell drugs at work.

"People come in and do their job," Taylor said. "But a lot of things go on
at home you don't know about."

UC policy views an alcohol or drug addiction as "a treatable condition,"
and encourages afflicted employees to get treatment. Employees, however,
can face "corrective" action-including termination-if caught selling,
possessing or using drugs and alcohol at work.

Cooper said he hopes the investigation will conclude shortly.

Unions that represent Physical Plant employees said they had no knowledge
of the investigation and could not comment about it.