Source: Des Moines Register
Contact:  http://www.dmregister.com/letter.html
Website: http://www.dmregister.com/
Pubdate: Thu, 26 Mar 1998
Editors note: Our published letter writer, Patrick, is a frequent visitor
to the MAP discussion room on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Join us at:
http://www.mapinc.org/chat/

OPINION - THE REGISTER'S READERS SAY 

DRUG TESTS: PRESUMED GUILTY

Thanks very much for going directly to the Fourth Amendment in criticizing
Iowa's new "law" subjecting individuals to forced drug testing by employers
to keep their jobs (March 16 editorial).  Your pointing out the double
standard between private- and public-sector employees is well taken.

However, it is not the worst thing about this bill.  The worst thing is
that, regardless of the details, it purports to legalize aggression and
requires Iowans to prove their innocence in order to be left alone to live
normal lives.

It is greatly to be hoped that many, many employees in Iowa will summarily,
and preemptively, inform their employers that they will under no
circumstances submit to drug testing, will leave "en masse" in sympathy
with the first employee who is fired either for testing "positive," or,
better yet, for refusing to be tested, and that they will provide financial
and strategic support to any lawsuits, federal if necessary, which such an
employee might choose to pursue.

- -- Patrick L. Lilly, 9 Normandy Cir., Colorado Springs, Colo.