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Nine govt employees test positive for drugs
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Posted on Apr 07 2008
Nine government employees tested positive during random drug tests conducted by the Office of Personnel Management between 2005-2007.
Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace director Frances Torres-Salas said the nine were identified from a total of 300 drug tests conducted on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Individuals were tested for the presence of cocaine, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine in their urine.
“All government employees are subjected to a random drug test if they are identified to be ‘safety-sensitive’ personnel or hold a ‘safety-sensitive’ position,” Torres-Salas said.
Safety-sensitive positions include law enforcement officers and bus drivers, among others.
Random tests are done on a quarterly basis, and an average of about 60 tests are conducted per quarter.
Torres-Salas said if an employee is found to be under the influence of prohibited drugs or substances—depending upon the reason for taking the test—some form of disciplinary action is taken.
Some seek rehabilitation at the Community Guidance Center and are certified to return to duty while others face termination.
OPM performs drug testing on pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident and covers permanent status employees and excepted service employees.
Tests cost about $35.50 and results may be expected within seven working days from the time it was conducted.
“Since the CNMI Drug Testing Policy is mirrored after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Drug Testing policy, federal standards are followed with regards to drug testing procedures,” said Torres-Salas.
She added that the certified laboratory has to conduct the test itself and since there is no certified toxicology laboratory in the CNMI, the specimens are sent off-island for toxicology screening.
According to the OPM, the purpose of a random drug test is to ensure that employees as well as the public work in a safe environment.
OPM oversees and administers the CNMI government’s Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace Policy.
The policy covers the employees of the Executive Branch but OPM also services several other government agencies outside the realm of the Executive Branch, which is done through a Memorandum of Understanding.
