County Begins Dispatcher Drug Testing

Dispatchers in Kanawha County (WV) are now subject to random drug testing each quarter to detect drugs or alcohol. The county commissioners approved a plan in mid-2007 to test 185 safety-related employees, including dispatchers, on a random basis each quarter so that 25% of the pool is tested each year. In this case, “safety related” means employees whose duties could injure themselves or someone else, such as using tools or a firearm, driving a vehicle, or working with hazardous materials. The new process also includes pre-employment testing for drugs. Download (pdf) the county’s drug testing policy and procedure here. [The state of Nevada drug testing procedure includes dispatchers, and the write-up includes excellent testing flow-charts. Download it here, or the city of Provo (Utah) procedure here.]