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Zero tolerance drug policy proposed by city board and mayor
By Billy Howell
Staff Writer
Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk began the open session of Monday’s board meeting by stating that the City of Clarksdale has a drug problem with its employees.
“It has come to my attention that we definitely have a drug problem with our employees. Not to say they are bad employees. They just need help,” said Plunk.
The Board voted 3-2 to approve a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy. Commissioners Plunk and Grady Palmer, and Mayor Henry Espy voted in favor of the zero tolerance policy with Commissioners Ed Seals and Buster Moton voting against it.
Moton said, “If a person decides to admit they have a problem, I’m for leniency. The main thing is that we have some good employees, and it is possible that some employees could do something stupid, but we need to work with these people.”
“It is necessary that we have a drug policy to protect our citizens, but I don’t know that a zero tolerance is the way to go. We need to look at cases on a case by case basis,” said Seals.
“I agree with Seals that it should be on a case by case policy,” said Moton.
Plunk said, “If employees come forward and they need some help, then I support them. When asked to define what he means by zero tolerance, Plunk said, “In my opinion, zero tolerance means, if an employee comes to us and needs help then we have the responsibility to help them, but not at the point that we are handing them a cup (to pee in).”
Palmer said that he has no problem helping city employees if they acknowledge a drug problem prior to taking a random test, and that there is a provision for that help in the drug city’s drug testing policy.
City attorney Curtis Boschert was asked to prepare and clarify the zero tolerance policy in writing by next Monday’s board meeting.
City attorney, Curtis Boschert said that a person with the fire department was disciplined during the executive session of the board meeting. There was also discussion regarding a personnel matter with the police department, but no action was taken at this time.
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Cooper Tire Retiree wrote on Dec 3, 2009 7:07 PM:
-Later "
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Set an example wrote on Dec 3, 2009 4:46 PM: