Pubdate: 27 May 1999 Source: Scotsman (UK) Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 1999 Contact: http://www.scotsman.com/ Forum: http://www.scotsman.com/ Author: John Bald DOUNREAY WORKERS WARNED THEY FACE RANDOM DRUGS TESTS Workers at Dounreay nuclear plant are to face random drug testing, it was revealed yesterday. Officials at the Caithness site where highly radioactive nuclear waste is reprocessed, have warned the 800 staff they will be tested for illegal substances. The move is aimed at stepping up security at the plant. New staff will have to undergo "pre-employment screening" after 1 June. A spokeswoman for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), said drugs could become a problem. "Drug misuse is a growing problem in society, and the risk to our operational safety could also be increasing," she said. "A number of other employers performing critical safety work have already adopted new drugs policies and the UKAEA has become increasingly out of step with modern expectations. "Many of these companies in both the public and private sectors include workplace testing as part of an overall programme. Most nuclear operators have gone this route, some operating programmes successfully for many years." The new drugs policy follows a detailed study by a working group set up by the UKAEA. It aims to deter workers from using drugs and to provide information on the nature and extent of any problem. It is expected that Dounreay will implement the random testing by the end of this year. But although the UKAEA insists drug abuse will not be tolerated, the spokeswoman said the new policy would encourage support, treatment and rehabilitation of offenders. A worker at the plant, who did not want to be identified, said yesterday: "Most of the workers are quite happy with drug testing. There's nothing to be afraid of if you're not doing drugs. Our work is far too important to have people walking about stoned out of their heads." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea