Termination or rehabilitation for drug-using gov’t workers

The CNMI government has renewed warning that strong administrative actions will be meted out against civil service employees who will test positive for drugs, in line with efforts to discourage continued use of illegal substances.

Officials said government employees who will test positive for use of illegal drugs are facing termination, depending on the seriousness of the case and the intricacy of the position they hold.

In some cases, civil service workers may just be required to undergo rehabilitation and be allowed to return to their government positions after completion of the process.

However, these group of public servants will be continuously subjected to regular drug testing to ensure that they completely stop using prohibited drugs.

At the Department of Public Safety, Commissioner Charlie S. Ingram said police officers found to be using illegal substances will be terminated at once since their line of work requires them to be completely drug-free.

Mr. Ingram explained that law enforcers should continue to be good examples to the community, adding that their involvement in illegal activities like drug use will tarnish the image and reputation of the public safety department.

Because of this, DPS instituted a program that subjects over 350 police officers and other public safety personnel to random drug testing. This was launched in response to a government-wide call to weed out public offices of officials and employees who either use or trade prohibited substances.

Mr. Ingram disclosed that the first round of the random drug tests was conducted last April 3 where more than nine police officers and staff were submitted to various narcotic examinations.

The police department is first among the list of government agencies where drug testing will be conducted, said Mr. Ingram. Other government departments and offices are soon to follow.

Results of the initial drug test are yet to be released but the commissioner is confident that very few, if none at all, of his police officers will test positive for drug use.

The test includes use of marijuana, ice and other unregulated drugs.

Mr. Ingram said regardless how long or how often police officers and employees use drugs, the test will be extensive and will provide examiners comprehensive results.

The random drug testing will include other agencies on Rota and on Tinian. DPS has more than 350 officers and personnel spread to more than 11 offices under the department including Corrections, Fire and Investigation unit.

Mr. Ingram said the drug testing is in line with efforts to determine whether police officers used drugs before and during their employment with the DPS.

The Commonwealth government has made calls to all department heads to hold random testing in order to prove or disprove allegations hurled by drug users and traffickers that police officers are in cahoots with drug syndicates. (ARF)