CUC steps up drive vs drug use by employees

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has sounded the alarm against involvement of its employees on use and abuse of illegal substance after a committee report disclosed some workers tested positive for drugs.

Based on the Fiscal Year 2000 report submitted by the CUC Board’s Personnel Committee to Chair Jesus T. Guerrero, seven utility employees were tested positive for drugs last year, while six others have already resigned.

The seven utility employees are presently undergoing rehabilitation to flush out drug residue from their system, the report pointed out.

Some of the employees were tested positive not only for marijuana or pot use but also for cocaine, ice and alcohol abuse.

Although there were only 13 employees out of 373 utility workers who were tested positive for drugs, CUC officials see the need to implement a stricter measure to ensure its Anti-Drug and Alcohol Policy is strictly complied with.

CUC officials warned that with the agency’s Zero Tolerance Policy, employees or applicants will have to undergo rigid medical examination including drug testing to ensure their capacity to work in a government office.

Mr. Guerrero stressed that should employees refuse to heed the company’s policy or to undergo rehabilitation process, their jobs will be at stake.

“The CUC is doing its part to help resolve a crisis in our communities, the best help is recovery and treatment,” the report further stated.

The chair stressed that with only about four percent of CUC employees were monitored involved with drugs, the agency will be on the lookout to rehabilitate those who will be needing assistance or to weed out the agency of drug users.

The Tenorio Administration has instituted a drug-free workplace by requiring all prospective government employees to submit a pre-employment drug test to the Office of Personnel Management.

This goes in line with the call made by the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council which earlier adopted a resolution calling for the institution of a law that would pave the road for a drug-free workplace in the government.

The resolution noted that two autonomous agencies have instituted a drug-free workplace by terminating their employees who were tested positive for illegal drugs or substance.

It also mentioned the actions taken by the Public School System which expelled students who were found in possession of prohibited drugs and firearms or other deadly weapons that pose danger to the community.

The previous administration has implemented a policy that would subject all civil service workers to a drug test, but it was later put on hold to allow employees using illegal substance to seek help.

The Tenorio Administration intensified its campaign against drug use following previous reports that claimed international drug traffickers have been using Saipan as transshipment point for controlled substance, particularly crystal metamphetamine or Ice.

The Division of Customs Services has successfully established procedures to inspect passengers and airplanes on all flights transiting through international and domestic airports in the CNMI for drugs or other prohibited substances.

The government received information that Saipan has been used as entry point for illegal drugs that are smuggled to Hawaii, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia and other areas in the Pacific and the mainland US. (LA)