DAVID ROYSE
Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.
- As part of an
effort to restore the Department of Corrections'
image, Secretary Jim McDonough said Tuesday that
the agency will begin random drug tests of
employees, including testing for steroids, which
figured in allegations of misconduct by prison
workers.
McDonough hastened to say that
he doesn't think there is a widespread drug
problem among prison employees and figured that
only a tiny few would test positive, but said it
was all part of his effort to boost confidence
in the agency and emphasize the professionalism
of the majority of the workers.
"What we're imparting on here
is a very bona fide effort to demonstrate the
professionalism and capability of this
department," said McDonough, who took over an
agency under a leadership cloud in February when
former Secretary James Crosby resigned after a
series of allegations involving misconduct by
high-ranking agency employees and corrections
officers.
Among the allegations were
that a few employees were involved in a
prison-based steroids distribution ring. At
least nine people have been charged in
connection with that investigation.
McDonough, the former head of
drug control policy for Gov. Jeb Bush, said the
new policy wouldn't be punitive for those who
test positive. They would undergo treatment but
keep their jobs in the meantime. During the
treatment, they would be moved out of duty that
could be dangerous.
"I fully understand the nature
of the disease of addiction," McDonough said. "I
know it can be treated."
McDonough and 46 other top
leadership employees at the agency already took
the drug test Monday.
The department already has the
ability to order tests for some illegal drugs
for employees when there is probable cause to
believe they're taking them. And a bill passed
during this year's legislative session that's
awaiting Bush's signature would also allow them
to conduct suspicion-based steroid testing.
But the new policy allows for
random testing of nearly any employee with an
oral swab. If the worker were to test positive,
it would lead to a second test to confirm the
results.
After someone goes through
treatment and returns to the work force, if they
were to test positive again, they'd likely be
fired, McDonough said.
The biggest union representing
corrections and probation officers supports the
plan.
"As professional law
enforcement officers, it's important that the
citizens of Florida and our fellow officers have
the complete confidence in the fact that we are
performing our duties drug-free," said Jim
Baiardi, vice president of the Florida Police
Benevolent Association.
Baiardi said he would bet that
one half of one percent of corrections employees
or fewer would test positive for some illegal
drug.
Two other unions representing
health care workers in prisons also support the
testing. Another union which represents some
Corrections employees, the American Federation
of State, County and Municipal Employees,
however, has not come out in support of the
plan.
AFSCME, which represents more
than 2,000 clerical, administrative, maintenance
and other agency employees, is reviewing the
policy and plans to meet with department
officials to discuss it, said AFSCME spokesman
Doug Martin.
McDonough said he thought
Florida would be among the first in the nation
to require random screening for a number of
illegal drugs and steroids for prison system
workers.
The testing, which will cost
the agency about $200,000 a year, will begin for
all employees starting May 30, McDonough said.
In addition to steroids, the
tests will also screen for the presence of
marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamine,
methamphetamine, among other drugs.
The department also announced
that starting July 1 it will add begin adding
drug-sniffing dogs and handlers to conduct
random searches in the workplace. The sniffer
dogs will conduct unannounced searches of work
and vehicle areas.
