Drug use within Department

[Drug Free]

Great bust on I-10, but I think we may need to turn a little attention to drug use within our own Department.

We have quite a few pill poppers in our agency that are endangering other officers by excessive use of prescription meds. A simple drug test will find them and those with prescriptions for their pills can be tested for specific levels to see if it is in line with what their doctor prescribes. I have over heard a few officers doctor shopping to be able to get more pills when their prescription runs out early due to excessive use.

This not only endangers the other officers but the public also as an officer on excessive prescription meds driving a patrol car could cause a wreck that could injure or kill someone.

Tests can now be bought and administered on the ramp or at side stations at anytime.
10 panels tests are fairly inexpensive and can be ordered in bulk. Anyone who shows drug use can be sent to a lab for verification and more precise testing.

We are looking for law violators as our job, but we have violators in our midst working with us everyday.

We can be drug tested at anytime for no reason. I say lets do 100% drug testing randomly once a month for a six month period.

[Guestofus]

If the drugs you alledge are used, are prescribed by Doctors. Then it will not matter if they show up on a test. That said. I also support drug testing. Like a polygraph, drug tests keep people on their best behavior.

[Drug Free]

If the drugs you alledge are used, are prescribed by Doctors. Then it will not matter if they show up on a test. That said. I also support drug testing. Like a polygraph, drug tests keep people on their best behavior.

To use a prescribed drug in excess to what the doctor has prescribed is against the law. There are tests that can show the level in the system and if the level is higher than what the doctor has prescribed then there is abuse. It is also against the law to doctor shop to gain excessive amounts of prescription meds. I do not know but if I am not mistaken there is or was policy that these type meds when taken should place an officer on a light duty status. These meds state not to use heavy equipment when taken, so is operation of a patrol vehicle ok? People should be on light duty when on these type meds.

There is really a problem here that most are not aware of. I know 8 officers that take these meds excessively, that is just on three shifts at one station. This needs to be brought under control before it gets further out of hand.

[Tommy Tomato]

If the drugs you alledge are used, are prescribed by Doctors. Then it will not matter if they show up on a test. That said. I also support drug testing. Like a polygraph, drug tests keep people on their best behavior.

To use a prescribed drug in excess to what the doctor has prescribed is against the law. There are tests that can show the level in the system and if the level is higher than what the doctor has prescribed then there is abuse. It is also against the law to doctor shop to gain excessive amounts of prescription meds. I do not know but if I am not mistaken there is or was policy that these type meds when taken should place an officer on a light duty status. These meds state not to use heavy equipment when taken, so is operation of a patrol vehicle ok? People should be on light duty when on these type meds.

There is really a problem here that most are not aware of. I know 8 officers that take these meds excessively, that is just on three shifts at one station. This needs to be brought under control before it gets further out of hand.

The Department makes it very easy for someone that has a legitimate complaint against an Officer to file such complaint. Much easier than than to say that an Officer did something good. I think the key word here is legitimate. General Douglas McArthur stated it best when he said "Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characterstic in men" or Albert Einstien who observed that " The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing" Either way, I guess my point is, if you are not willing to fix the problem in the channels provided, then you are part of the problem.....