Pubdate: Thu, 05 Dec 2002
Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV)
Copyright: 2002 Charleston Daily Mail
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76
Author: Homer F. Hawley Jr.

RANDOM DRUG TESTING THREATENS FREEDOM

I respond to Robert Sharpe's Nov. 24 letter on the Drug Policy Alliance. 
His letter, "America can be either free or drug-free, but not both" made 
some interesting and valid points on the war on drugs. I agree when Sharpe 
said that random drug testing has led to loss of liberties, having 
experienced it myself.

When corporate America joins the war on drugs using random testing as a 
guise for public safety, while polluting the environment, it is hypocrisy. 
They have instead used it to dictate moral ethics to employees on what they 
can and cannot do during their private time off.

Living in a hypocritical society that is quick to judge, some companies' 
moral values leave little room in their drug policy for human mistakes.

I worked at a Nitro chemical plant for 24 years without having an unexcused 
absence or ever being reprimanded. I failed a no-tolerance drug test 
without having medical help or counseling (so much for my human rights), 
and was fired -- not for my work ethics or job performance, but for 
righteousness sake.

Sharpe is right when he says it's not possible to wage a moralistic war 
against consensual vices unless privacy is completely eliminated, along 
with the Constitution.

Homer F. Hawley Jr.

Poca
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MAP posted-by: Beth