Pubdate: Tue, 30 Jan 2001
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  2615 12 Street N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7W9
Fax: (403) 250-4180
Website: http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaSun/home.html
Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.html
Author: Bill Kaufmann

DRUG USE 'NO HAZARD'

Some of Calgary's garbage collectors are smoking marijuana on taxpayer time 
but don't pose a public safety hazard, said one of the city's solid waste 
staffers.

The employee -- who was suspended for four days last year on suspicion of 
smoking dope at work -- disputed a co-worker's accusations garbage 
collectors' on-the-job marijuana use was a safety risk.

But Keith Johnson, who denied smoking marijuana on the job, said it's 
common practice for some staff collecting garbage in the city's northwest 
to finish their routes and park their vehicles before getting high and 
playing cards to complete their shifts.

"It's not a problem because no one's driving the trucks (stoned)," said 
Johnson, who worked full-time in the solid waste department for six years.

Last week, garbage collector Darren Hunter accused co-workers and union and 
city officials of ignoring widespread marijuana use. He also said he's 
suffered considerable harassment for his whistleblowing.

A city manager said the department is willing to work with Hunter to ferret 
out drug use.

"On the heels of Darren's concerns, we have talked to our supervisory staff 
and foremen, that we do need to maintain our diligence," said Dave 
Griffiths, general manager of the solid waste division.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart