The Region : Drug Tests Clear Hurdle

The City of Los Angeles would start conducting drug screening tests for candidates for certain jobs and employees who exhibit “suspicious” behavior under a proposal that won approval by the City Council’s Personnel and Labor Relations Committee. It would require screening of candidates for “safety-related” jobs that require operation of vehicles and machinery, Deputy City Atty. Les Brown said. In addition, supervisors having a “reasonable suspicion” that an employee was abusing drugs or alcohol would submit a report to the city’s health officers, who would then determine whether a test is warranted. Employees who test positive would be referred to counseling and rehabilitation programs. Those who refuse to cooperate could be fired, Brown said. The full council is expected to consider the proposal within the next two months.