NCJ Number
132216
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 60 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Kentucky State Police has developed and implemented an employee drug testing policy that will promote the concept and reality of a drug-free workplace.
Abstract
Police department administrators set out to make the drug testing policy a product of employees. After 4 months of research and planning, the Drug Testing Advisory Committee formulated a policy that it considered fair and workable and one that ensured employee privacy and dignity. As of January 1, 1991, all sworn employees and all aircraft support personnel became subject to random drug testing. Random drug testing of civilian employees in certain safety-sensitive classifications, such as arson investigations, communications, the forensic laboratory, and armed facilities security will also become mandatory in 1991. Drug testing is further required for any sworn employee upon documented, reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use. Every Monday, post and section police commanders coordinate the matching of employee names to individual identification numbers. A computer randomly selects identification numbers, and these employees will be tested within 5 working days. Drug testing is performed by urinalysis, and the employee is asked to complete a voluntary consent form. Immunoassay tests are used to screen urine samples for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, and propoxyphene. All test results are sent directly to the Kentucky State Police's Employee Assistance Program. Any employee involved in illegal drug use faces disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. For prescription drug misuse, however, the agency's emphasis is on employee rehabilitation only.