University Daily Kansan / Thursday, March 3, 1988
9
Panel debates drug tests Applicants for safety jobs would be tested
By Jill Jess
Kansan staff writer
TOPEKA — A Senate committee heard testimony yesterday on a bill that would require drug tests for applicants for state safety-sensitive jobs, and at least one committee member questioned whether alcohol should be one of the drugs tested for.
The bill defines safety-sensitive jobs as state law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry firearms, state correctional officers, the governor and lieutenant governor, heads of state agencies who are appointed by the governor and employees on the governor's staff.
Galen Davis, Gov Mike Hayden's special assistant for drug and alcohol abuse, told the Federal and State Affairs Committee that all applicants for and current state employees in safety-sensitive jobs could be tested through urine samples for cocaine and marijuana use. Current state employees would be tested only if
The tests would indicate illegal drug usage, not alcohol usage. State Sen. Norma Daniels said alcohol was a bigger problem.
there were reason to suspect drug use.
But State Sen. Norma Daniels, D-Valley Center, asked Davis why he hadn't included alcohol testing in the bill. She said alcohol abuse was more prevalent than illegal drug use, thus costing the state more money because more state employees were affected.
"I think we're missing the big fish," Daniels said.
Also, Susan Irza, director of personnel services in the state Department of Administration, said she didn't think alcohol testing could be done through urine samples. Blood tests probably would have to be done to determine alcohol use, and these are often ruled unconstitutional.
Only illegal drugs were included in the bill. Davis said that most supervisors were aware of behaviors related to alcohol abuse but that most were not familiar with illegal-drug-abuse behaviors.
The bill does not give guidelines for administration of the tests. However, Davis presented guidelines that he, Irza and Stephan drew up that would include prior notification of testing. The testing would be done by an employee's private physician. Results would be confidential, and rehabilitation programs would be made available for employees who test positive.
Davis said that Attorney General Robert T. Stephan had said the drug testing procedures in the bill would be considered constitutional.
The testing would cost about $222,000 in the next fiscal year. Hayden has included the program expenses in his recommended letter.
WALITY COMICS
Mark's Jewlers 817 Massachusetts
RINGS sized, repaired cleaned
Kizer Cummings
Kwality books,
comics, and games.
1111 Massachusetts 843-7239
800 Mass. 749-4333
Pulliam's Music House
2601 Iowa 843-3008
Yesterday's Kansan magazine incorrectly listed the address of Sports Unlimited
CORRECTION
Sound Systems-Guitars-Pianos Keyboards-Accessories
1016 Massachusetts The correct address is
1012 Massachusetts
Judges can restrict the driving privileges of a person convicted of drunken drive or suspend or revoke the person's license, but that doesn't always prevent the offender from driving, O'Neal said.
TOPEKA — A device that would prevent convicted drunken drivers from starting their cars if they had alcohol on their breath is a way to keep them off Kansas roads, two state representatives told a House committee yesterday.
Many Kanans think people convicted of drunken driving or other alcohol-related driving offenses should be put in jail, State Rep. Michael O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, told the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. But their real concern is keeping those people from driving.
ASK to renew efforts for Margin support
Breath-test car device proposed
The Associated Press
California, Washington, Oregon, Texas and Michigan have adopted legislation authorizing judges to require use of the interlock device. Other states have similar bills pending or have judges who already use the interlock device as a sentencing tool.
By a Kansan reporter
ALPHA DELTA PI - DELTA UPSILON
GAMMA PHI BETA - SIGMA NU
PI BETA PHI - PHI KAPPA PSI
DELTA GAMMA - PHI GAMMA DELTA
The Associated Students of Kansas will launch another letter writing campaign and student lobby day to remind legislators that students support the Margin of Excellence plan.
"It's a tool for judgers," O'Neal said. "They would use it when they thought it was appropriate."
A bill introduced by O'Neal and State Rep. Robert Wunsch, R-Kingman, would allow judges to require offenders to install ignition interlock devices in their cars.
Jane Hutchinson, director of ASK
ASK representatives will visit living groups on campus this week to
The device, which looks like a citizens band radio, is hooked into the car's ignition switch. The driver must breathe into a tube hanging from the device, and if his blood-alcohol content is above a certain level, the device prevents the car from starting.
State Rep. John Solbach, D-
Lawrence, said that he wasn't aware of the new campaign but he was glad that students were showing their concern.
get students to write their legislators. The student lobby day is scheduled for April 5.
at the University of Kansas and a Wichita junior, said that the success of the last campaign prompted the effort. The last campaig brought in 1,000 letters supporting the plan.
Dot Matrix Speed and Daisy Wheel Quality..
From the Panasonic® KX-P1524 24-pin dot matrix printer, Just watch how fast it will print your letters. And your memos, drafts and reports. All with the quality you can only get from a 24-pin printhead. The Panasonic KX-P1524. For printing that’s fast. And looks fantastic.
- Up to 240 cps draft, 80 cps LQ speed
- Memo load for quick single sheet paper load without
- EZ Set Front Panel for user
- Compatible with most popular software.
- 2-year limited warranty
- software
- Font card slot for optional letter quality fonts
- High performance at an excellent value.
- Wide 15" carriage for increased versatility
Sale Price $699.00 (regularly $949.00)
Service • Knowledge • Education
23rd & IOWA, LAWRENCE, 841-0094
ROCK CHALK REVUE
The story is about to be told.
Saturday, March 5
2:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 3
Friday, March 4
7:30 p.m.
Hoch Auditorium
Good Luck to everyone
participating in Rock Chalk'88
From the men of Phi Kappa Theta
HEY, I KNOW WHERE
TO GO, CHASERS, THAT
NEW, APRIL CLUB, THEY
HAVE A BIG DANCE FLOOR,
GREAT MUSIC, AND THEY'RE
EVEN HAVING $ WELL
DRINKS ALL WEEKEND!
A PRIVATE CLUB 623 VERMONT
OPENS TOMORROW
(FRIDAY, MARCH 4)
7PAM - 2AM
Untold Story
Rock Chalk Revue 1988
IFC and Panhellenic wish the performers
Good Luck!
Arensberg's For Spring !
At Arensberg's Shoes we offer the largest selection of men's, women's, and children's shoes in the area. Plus, we have the sizes and widths you need. We have just received the latest Spring styles so come in and select your Spring Break shoes today!
ARENSBERG'S SHOES
ONE STEP AHEAD
Quality Footwear for the whole family since 1958.
Open Sunday
1:00 - 5:00
825 Massachusetts
Downtown Lawrence
843-3470