EDITORIAL: DRUG TESTS

Charleston's Policy is Working For the Public and Employees

IN February, the city of Charleston instituted a drug and alcohol testing
policy. New job applicants would be tested. Current employees whose job
involved operating a vehicle or some other type of equipment would face
random testing.

Two of the more than 80 city employees who had been tested through the end
of May failed. Four of 83 job applicants failed, and many others withdrew
their applications rather than face drug tests.

Testing works. Obviously, there is more drug use out there than anyone
wanted to believe.

"We suspected it," said Mayor Jay Goldman, "but it may be deeper than we
thought. The thing that has surprised us all is the number of potential
hires who don't want to take the drug test."

While that may make it more difficult for some departments to fill
positions, the tests are functioning as intended: protecting taxpayers from
the damage done by drug and alcohol abusers.

Before testing began, the city gave employees fair warning. It held classes
on drug abuse for all city workers.

As for job applicants, if a person cannot show up for the job interview
sober, imagine how that person will show up for the job.

City residents can't have city employees impaired by drugs or alcohol
operating heavy equipment. At a minimum, this is a safety issue.

Drug and alcohol abuse also are a liability issue. Taxpayers deserve
protection from having to pay for the damage done by abusers.

"Hopefully (the drug policy) works as a deterrent and people are getting
away from it," Goldman said. "You just want safe people out here."

City workers also deserve protection.

"People deserve a safe place to work," Goldman said. "Those who don't use
drugs should not be forced to work around people who do."

The city's policy ultimately may help people with drug or alcohol problems
overcome their addictions. Testing positive does not automatically lead to
firing.

Both of the employees who tested positive entered a treatment program. One
used the opportunity for a second chance, completed the program, and came
back to work. The other did not finish the program and was fired.

The testing also shows that City Hall is hardly a den of inequity. Of the
dozens of city employees who were tested, only two showed up for work with
drugs or alcohol in their system. That's reassuring.