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BFD: Random drug testing turns up two firefighters with a problem
By adamg on Tue, 04/05/2011 - 5:39pm
The Boston Fire Department reported today that random drug testing conducted since September has found two positives out of 1,053 tests done:
In one case, the person served a 30 day unpaid suspension and entered the Employee Assistance Program. In the other case, the person entered a treatment program and served a 30 day unpaid suspension when the program concluded. This person has also entered the Employee Assistance Program.
About half the department's firefighters have undergone random tests - because the test is random, some have had to undergo more than one test (and by random, the department includes tests done on holidays, nights and weekends).
Firefighters agreed to random drug and alcohol screening as part of their current contract.
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Comments
Bravo! Only 2 positives!
How many pretty damn sures?
Bravo indeed
I also am (pleasantly?) surprised. This should be good fodder for them in their next PR battle with the Mayor's office.
The last contract was never
The last contract was never about "Testing" until the media got involved (Globe/Herald). The BFD has had testing for over 30 years.
Believe it or not there never was a "rampant" problem throughout the BFD. Those who did were giving 1 chance to clean up and if not they were fired.
I never believed it was rampant
But if a solid threat of random testing isn't there, some guys are going to do the illegal substances because the threat of being caught is outweighed by the high they enjoy from 'using'. This is why I thought they'd find more positives...not to a rampant degree, but closer to the percentage of substance use by the general everyday public that works in non-testing environments.
Two positives out of over a thousand is pretty great no matter what the reputation was beforehand.
Time to do randoms for the BPD as well
Surprised it wasn't proposed after the Pulido and steroids scandals a few years ago.
Better Union
"rank" has it's privileges. Sniff, sniff.
I generally think . . .
. . . that things that make workplaces even more paranoid and petty and miserable and impersonal and regimented than they already are- are not something I want to see any more of - anywhere.
Absolutely correct
I would much rather the possibility of BPD and BFD "protecting and serving" while high as a kite than engender a less than optimal workplace environment for our precious little flowers.
You are an idiot. Drug testing for PD and FD is commonplace everywhere but here, and is necessary, because people cannot be trusted. Sorry for crushing your worldview, Matilda.
That's quite alright.
You didn't.
Drug Testing is not as wide
Drug Testing is not as wide spread as you think.
Citation for blatant assertion?
Thanks in advance