Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jul 2000 Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX) Copyright: 2000 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Contact: http://www.lubbockonline.com/interactive/edit.shtml Website: http://www.lubbockonline.com/ Forum: http://chat.lubbockonline.com:90/eshare/ LET SUSPENSION STAND FIREFIGHTERS JEOPARDIZE the safety of the public, their co-workers and themselves when they use illegal drugs, which is why 18-year veteran Lubbock firefighter Woody Bilbrey should not be reinstated by an arbitrator who heard an appeal last week of his indefinite suspension, the Civil Service equivalent of dismissal. We suspect that the arbitrator will rule that the firefighter who tested positive for methamphetamine use last year and admitted during a hearing last week to using the drug, should be reinstated because a previous incident involving alcohol use was not reported. City policy allows an employee without previous disciplinary problems who tests positive for drugs to receive one more chance before being dismissed. The policy should be changed. Use of drugs - especially illegal drugs - - should result in indefinite suspension. Offering a second chance could get someone killed or seriously injured. It was a mistake for Mr. Bilbrey's supervisor to not document a 1996 incident in which the firefighter reported for duty after having been drinking alcohol. We understand that the supervisor wanted to give Mr. Bilbrey a second chance, but in doing so he created a dangerous situation. Proper reporting might have resulted in Mr. Bilbrey getting counseling for his problem with alcohol and might have brought his drug use to light. The firefighter blew the second chance the supervisor gave him, but he has gone through a recovery program and claims sobriety. Four random drug tests this past year have substantiated his claims. Mr. Bilbrey doesn't deserve another chance. His indefinite suspension should stand. But if the arbitrator does give him another chance, we hope he doesn't put the public, his co-workers and himself at risk again by reporting for duty after having used alcohol or drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens