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From: kfl%mx.lcs.mit.edu@MC.LCS.MIT.EDU
Newsgroups: mod.politics
Subject: Drug testing
Message-ID: <12233232965.16.MCGREW@RED.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Sat, 23-Aug-86 21:55:41 EDT
Article-I.D.: RED.12233232965.16.MCGREW
Posted: Sat Aug 23 21:55:41 1986
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    From: mcgurrin@mitre.ARPA (Michael Mcgurrin)

    ... I am concerned about the current move to require mandatory,
    universal drug tests of gov't employees and defense contractor
    employees.  I feel that this is a violation of basic rights on
    several grounds.

  I think employers do have the right to require such tests.  The real
issues are:

1) Are the tests reliable?  What recourse does a person have who tests
   positive but who swears he takes no drugs?

2) Should government be allowed to require this of their contractors?
   I work for a government contractor, so I am very much aware of the
   loss of productivity and efficiency that is due to having to meet
   various and contradictory government regulations.

3) Does this apply only to employees seeking a security clearance?
   The government is allowed to ask many questions of people seeking a
   clearance that employers are not allowed to ask employees.  I think
   this is a reasonable precaution to reduce the chances of espionage.
   Yes, I do have such a clearance myself.  No, I don't use drugs.
   No, I have never taken a drug test, though my employer does now
   require it of new employees.

  I do not support your petition, because I believe that employers
have the right to set any rules they want for potential employees,
just as the potential employees have the right to set any rules they
want for their potential employers.
  A company should have the right to not hire or to terminate anyone
for any reason, just as an employee has the right to not seek work at
a given place or to resign for any reason.
                                                              ...Keith

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