Pubdate: Thu, 12 May 2005
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
Copyright: 2005 Lexington Herald-Leader
Contact:  http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240
Author: Roger Alford, Associated Press

MINE INSPECTORS TO WATCH FOR DRUGS

Abuse Adds To Peril In A Setting That's Already Dangerous

PINEVILLE - Inspectors responsible for finding loose rocks and 
malfunctioning equipment inside coal mines now have a different sort of 
hazard to look out for -- drug addicts.

The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing has for the first time 
begun training its inspectors to identify miners who might be under the 
influence.

"We realize the drug culture is out there in our society," said Paris 
Charles, head of the state agency. "So, it stands to reason that it's in 
the mines also."

Kentucky State Police Troop-er Walt Meachum, who led a training session 
yesterday at Pine Mountain State Resort, said mine inspectors should look 
for the same telltale signs that other law enforcers look for, such as poor 
hand-eye coordination and slurred speech.

Meachum said black-market sales of prescription drugs are especially 
lucrative in the mountain region. He said dealers can make more money in 
one weekend selling painkillers in small Appalachian towns than they can in 
an entire month in big cities.

"These guys who work in the mines get hurt and get hooked on this drug," 
Meachum said. "It's hurt our miners bad."

The issue came to the forefront in 2003 after one miner was killed and 
another was seriously injured at the Cody Mining Co. in Floyd County. 
Marijuana was found at the scene, and an employee told investigators he had 
seen two miners snorting crushed painkillers. An autopsy found that the 
dead miner had taken illegal drugs.

Most large coal companies require miners to undergo random drug tests. Some 
smaller companies also have begun drug screening programs in recent years 
to identify impaired miners who might be a danger to others.

Tracy Stumbo, chief investigator for the Office of Mine Safety and 
Licensing, said he has found marijuana and prescription drugs at mining 
operations. He said drug abuse can't be tolerated in mines, because one 
person impaired can put an entire crew at risk.

Charles said inspectors who suspect miners are using drugs should report 
them to their superiors and notify local police.

"It's very dangerous," he said. "There's an inherent danger already in coal 
mines. Then you put drugs in the mix and anything could happen."
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman