Pubdate: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) Copyright: 2008 The Daily Herald Company Contact: http://www.dailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107 Author: Lisa Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) KANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTRACT INCLUDES DRUG TESTING Under a four-year collective bargaining agreement approved Wednesday, some 120 union employees at the Kane County Sheriff's Department will be required to submit to random drug tests. Drug use among those whose job it is to uphold the law can compromise safety and integrity, said Sheriff Pat Perez, who pledged during his 2006 campaign to institute the policy. He believes random testing will deter drug abuse. "Just the thought of not knowing if your number is going to be called is a deterrent," Perez said. "If they're tempted, they won't make the wrong choice." The policy applies not only to deputies but also to emergency dispatchers, records clerks and other civilian employees covered by the contract between the county, the sheriff's office and the Policemen's Benevolent Labor Committee/American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 245. "It's important for someone who's a dispatcher answering 911 calls, someone keeping records for our agency -- we've all got to be on top of our game," Perez said. Provena Health will administer the tests to up to four employees each month. Those who test positive will have a chance to offer an explanation. For example, an employee using a prescription medication that triggers a positive result can present the medication to officials. Those who test positive without such an excuse could be disciplined and/or invited to participate in the department's employee assistance program, Perez said. They also could be subjected to additional random testing in the future. Other local police departments that require random drug testing include the Illinois State Police and the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The bargaining agreement also stipulates annual 4 percent raises and a wage increase for dispatchers to bring their salaries in line with the industry standard, Perez said. Employees have been working without an agreement since Nov. 30, 2006. The agreement is retroactive to Dec. 1, 2006, and expires Nov. 30, 2010. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek