05-91-Ordinance-Establishing a Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy-04/20/1991CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
CITY OF SANGER PACKET
DRUG TESTING
April 29, 1991
CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
CITY OF SANGER, TEXAS
ORDINANCE #05-91
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANGER, DENTON COUNTY,
TEXAS, MAKING FINDINGS ON THE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE
ABUSE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, PROVIDING FOR DRUG
TESTING PROCEDURES AS A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO ALL
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF SANGER,
PROVIDING FURTHER FOR SUCH TESTING TO ALL PUBLIC
SAFETY PERSONNEL, THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY
MANAGER, DEPARTMENT HEADS, OPERATORS OF CITY OWNEI)
VEHICLES AND TO PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN ON -DUTY
ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN INJURY OR DAMAGE TO
EMPLOYEES OR CITY PROPERTY, ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES
TO ASSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DRUG TESTING PROFESS,
PROVIDING FURTHER FOR DISCHARGE FROM PUBLIC SERVICE
ANY PERSONNEL TESTING POSITIVE FOR SUCH CONTRABANIi
SUBSTANCES, REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT
HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY.
WHEREAS, public service is a trust which requires unconditional
adherence to principles of honesty and integrity, and a constant state of
readiness to serve the public in discharging one's duties, and,
WHEREAS, the prevalence of drugs in our society permeates into
the leadership and work force of civil government and,
WHEREAS, medical research has empirically established that
substance abuse has a deleterious effect on an individual's performance of
his duties, and,
WHEREAS, the result of substance abuse is impaired judgment,
lessened work performance and increased exposure to accidents in the
work area, and,
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Sanger City Council to promulgate
policies reasonably necessary to exclude and remove from public service
and/or employment persons wrongfully using controlled substances and
engaging in alcohol abuse, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANGER, TEXAS:
CITY SECRETARY
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Ord. #05-91 Drug Testing
Page 2
1. The Sanger City Council does hereby adopt comprehensive
substance abuse policies and testing procedures therefore to assure as
fully as possible to the citizens of Sanger public servants who shall be
free of such abusive practices. A copy of these policies are attached
hereto as Exhibit I.
2. Be it further ORDAINED that any public servant including,
but not limited to members of the Sanger City Council and all employees
testing positive for unauthorized controlled substances and/or
intoxicating beverages shall be subject to removal from such public
service. Be it further ORDAINED that all prospective employees and
members of the City Council of the City of Sanger shall be refused
consideration for such employment or appointment if they also test
positive from such screening.
3. All ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
4. In the event any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or
phrase of this Ordinance shall be declared or adjudged invalid or
unconstitutional, such adjudication shall in no means affect any other
section, subsection clause or phrase of this Ordinance, but all the rest
thereof shall be in full force and effect just as though the section,
subsection, sentence or clause so declared or adjudged invalid or
unconstitutional was not originally a part thereof.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 1st day of April
1991.
Mayor Nel Armstrong
ATTEST:
I•i'os'alie Garcia, City Secretary
CITY SECRETARY
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SANGER SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING
FOLLOWING ACCIDENTS OR PREDICATED UPON
INDIVIDUALIZED SUSPICION OF INDIVIDUALS
Definitions:
1. "Alcohol" means ethyl alcohol (ethanol). References to use or
possession of alcohol include use of possession of any
beverage, mixture or preparation containing ethyl alcohol.
2. "Drug" means any substance other than alcohol that has
known mind or function - altering effects on a human
subject, namely, all controlled substances enumerated in
Article 4476-15 V. A. C. S., including, but not limited to
Marijuana (cannabinoids), Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines,
and Phencyclidine.
3. "Medical Facility" means a hospital, clinic, physician's office or
laboratory where toxicological samples can be collected
according to recognized professional standards.
4. "Possess" means to have on one's person or in one's personal
effects or under one's control. However, the concept of
possession as used in this part does not include control by
virtue of presence in the employee's personal residence or
other similar location off city property.
5. "Supervisory Employee" means a department head or his
immediate assistant who is not a co-worker and who is
responsible for supervising or monitoring the conduct or
performance of one or more employees.
Coercion Prohibited
Nothing in this policy shall be construed to authorize the use of physical
coercion or any other deprivation of liberty in order to compel breath or
body fluid testing.
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Alcohol
Alcohol concentrations in blood and breath
A. In this part, Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is expressed
as a "percentage" weight to volume. For example, a SAC of
". 04%" means that there is .04 grams (4/ 100ths of one gram)
of alcohol in 100 milliliters of whole blood. This is the same
quantity as "40 milligrams percent" (40 milligrams and 100
milliliters).
B. For the purpose of determining Blood Alcohol Concentration
through an analysis of the breath, the amount of alcohol and
one part of blood shall be presumed to equal the amount of
alcohol in 2100 parts of an expired breath sample (by
volume).
Prohibitions
Alcohol and drug use prohibited
A. Members of the City Council, appointed city officials, or
members of any city board or commission may not use or
possess alcohol or any controlled substance while performing
his or her duties.
B. No such person may report for duty or go or remain on duty
while
1. under the influence of or impaired by alcohol;
2. having .04% or more alcohol in the blood;
3. under the influence of or impaired by any controlled
substance.
Controlled substance is defined to mean the following drugs: All
controlled substances enumerated in Article 4476-15 V.A. C. S., including,
but not limited to:
Marijuana (cannabinoids), Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, and
Phencyclidine
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City Personnel Rules
Nothing in this section prohibits the city through its personnel rules
from imposing an absolute prohibition on the presence of alcohol or any
drug in the body fluids of persons in its employ whether in furtherance
of the purpose of this part or for other purposes. All municipal
employees of the City of Sanger shall notify their immediate supervisors
if they are taking prescribed medicines or over the counter drugs which
adversely affect or impair the performance of their duties.
This section does not prohibit the use of a controlled substance
prescribed or authorized by a medical practitioner, or possession incident
to such use, if -
A. the treating medical practitioner or a physician designated by
the City of Sanger has made a good faith judgment., with
notice of the employees assigned duties and on the basis of the
available medical history, that use of the substance by the
employee at the prescribed or authorized dosage level is
consistent with the safe performance of the employee's duties;
and,
H. the substance is used at the dosage prescribed or authorized.
Post -Accident Toxically Testing
Events for which testing is required
From and after the passage of the City of Sanger's Drug Testing
Screening Program, and except as provided for herein, post -accident
toxicological test shall be conducted after any event that involves one or
more of the circumstances described below:
A. Any vehicular or occupational accident that involves one or
more of the following:
1. a fatality
2. release of a hazardous material accompanied to buy an
evacuation or a reportable injury resulting from the
hazardous material release (e.g. from fire, explosion,
inhalation or skin contact with the material) or
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3. damage to city property of more than $500.00.
Good Faith Determinations
A. The city representative responding to the scene of the
accident/incident shall determine whether the
accident/incident falls within the requirements of this section.
It is the duty of the city's representative to make reasonable
inquiry into the facts as necessary to make such
determinations. In making such inquiry the city's
representative shall consider the need to obtain samples as
soon as practical in order to determine the presence or
absence of impairing substances reasonably contemporaneous
with the accident/incident. The city's representative satisfies
the requirement of this section if, after making reasonable
inquiry, the representative exercises good faith judgment in
making the required determinations.
B. The city is not in violation of this subpart if its representative
has made such reasonable inquiry and exercise such good
faith judgment but nevertheless errs in determining that post -
accident testing is not required.
C. The city does not act in excess of its authority under this
subpart if its representative has made such reasonable inquiry
and exercise such good faith judgment, but it is later
determined, after investigation, that one or more of the
conditions thought to have required testing were not, in fact,
present.
Responsibilities of the City and Employees
A. Employees tested
1. Following each accident and incident described above the
city shall take all practicable steps to assure that all city
employees involved in the accident or incident provide
blood and urine samples for toxicological testing.
2. Such employees shall specifically include each employee
who may have been assigned or a passenger to any
vehicle involved in such accident.
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3. An employee is excluded from testing in case of any
accident/incident if the city's representative can
immediately determine from the basis of specific
information that the employee had no role in the
cause(s) of the accident/incident.
Place of Sample Collection
Employees shall be transported to an independent medical facility
where the sample shall be obtained. In all cases blood shall be drawn
only by a qualified medical professional or by a qualified technician
subject to the supervision of a qualified medical professional.
Sample Collection and Handling
A. (General). Samples shall be obtained, marked, preserved,
handled, and made available to authorized representatives of
the City of Sanger consistent with the requirements of this
section.
B. Information Requirements. In order to process samples,
analyze the significance of laboratory findings and notify the
city and employees of test results, it is necessary to obtain
basic information concerning the accident/incident and any
treatment administered after the accident/incident.
Accordingly, the city representative shall, wherever necessary,
complete the information required by such medical treatment
facility so far as may be practicable.
C. In the case of an employee fatality in an accident or incident
described above, the city's representative shall make every
effort to cooperate fully with the Denton County Medical
Examiner towards the end that appropriate body fluid and/or
tissue samples shall be obtained from the remains of the
employee for toxicological testing.
Report of Test and Refusals
If, as the result of the non -cooperation of an employee, the city is
unable to obtain an appropriate body fluid and/or tissue sample from an
employee for toxicological testing, such refusal shall be grounds for the
removal of such employee from the public service of the City of Sanger.
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Follow—up
It is in the public interest to insure that any city disciplinary actions
that may result from accidents and incidents for which testing is
required be disposed of on the basis of the most complete and reliable
information available so that responsive action will be appropriate.
This provision shall not be construed to excuse the city from any
obligation to timely charge an employee where the city obtains sufficient
information relating to alcohol or drug use, impairment or possession or
other rule violations prior to receipt of toxicological analysis.
Each sample provided under this subpart shall be retained by the
appropriate medical facility for at least six (6) months following the date
of the accident or incident and may be made available to the city's
representative upon request or to a party in litigation upon service of
appropriate compulsory process.
Unlawful Refusals; Consequences
A. An employee who refuses to cooperate in providing a blood or
urine sample following an accident or incident specified in
these regulations shall be subject to removal from public
employment.
Procedures
A. Prior to or upon suspending an employee from public
employment, the city shall provide notice of the reason for
this action and an opportunity for hearing before a presiding
official other than the charging official. This hearing may be
consolidated with any other disciplinary hearing arising from
the same accident or incident (of conduct directly related
thereto), but the presiding officer shall make separate findings
as to the disqualification required by this section.
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Subject of Hearing
The hearing required by this section shall determine whether the
employee refused to submit to testing, having been requested to submit
under the authority of this subpart, by a representative of the City of
Sanger. In determining whether an employee should be terminated or
suspended, the hearing official shall, as appropriate, also consider the
following.
A. Whether the city made a good faith determination, based on
reasonable inquiry, that the accident or incident was within
the mandatory testing requirements of this subpart; and,
B. In case where a blood test was refused on the ground it
would be inconsistent with the employee's health, whether
such refusal was made in good faith and based on medical
advice.
Authorization to Test for Cause
Testing for reasonable cause
A. Authorization. The city may, under the conditions specified
In this subpart, require any employee, or public official
serving the City of Sanger in any capacity, to cooperate in
breath or urine testing, or both, under the following
circumstances.
1. Reasonable Suspicion. A supervisory employee of the city has
a reasonable suspicion that the employee or public official is
currently under the influence of or impaired by alcohol, or
alcohol in combination with a controlled substance, based upon
specific, personal observations that the supervisory employee
can articulate concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or
body odors of the employee:
a. Accident/Incident. The employee or public official has
been involved in an accident or incident reportable
under these regulations, and the city's supervisory
employee has reasonable suspicion that the employee or
officials, acts or omissions contributed to the occurrence
or severity of the accident or incident; or,
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b. Rule Violation. The employee or public official has been
directly involved or charged with violating any city
policies, rules or regulations dealing with his duties of
office or city personnel policies and regulations.
The above circumstances shall also be justification and shall
constitute reasonable cause for breath testing.
Reasonable Suspicion
Reasonable cause also exists where a supervisory employee of the
city has a reasonable suspicion that the employee or public official is
currently under the influence of or impaired by alcohol or a controlled
substance, based upon specific, personal observations that the supervisory
employee can articulate concerning the appearance, behavior, speech, or
body odors of the employee or official, subject to the following
limitations:
A. An employee or official may be required to submit to urine
testing for reasonable suspicion only if the determination is
made by at least two (2) supervisory employees or a collateral
official of equal dignity and,
B. If the determination to require urine testing is based upon
suspicion that the employee or official is under the influence of
or impaired by a controlled substance, at least one (1)
supervisory employee responsible for the decision to require
urine testing must have received minimal training in the signs
of drug intoxication consistent with a law enforcement
program.
Preference for Breath Test where Alcohol is Suspected.
If an employee or official is specifically suspected only or being
under the influence of or impaired by alcohol, breath testing is a
preferred means of confirmation. The city shall conduct a breath test
before requiring a urine test unless to do so would not be feasible because
of unavailability of a testing device or other considerations of safety or
efficiency.
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Time Limitation
Nothing in this section shall authorize testing of an employee with
the breath test after the expiration of an eight (8) hour period from the
time of the observations or other events described in this section.
Construction
Nothing in this subpart requires the city to undertake breath testing
as a requisite to any disciplinary action or restricts the discretion of the
city to proceed based solely on evidence of behavior, personal
observations, or other evidence customarily relied upon in such
investigations or disciplinary hearings.
Breath Test Procedures and Safeguard
A. Breath testing tests shall be administered by a competent
peace officer, schooled and authorized to administer the
breathalizer test to any arrested suspects believed to be
driving motor vehicles under the influence of intoxi Wing
beverages. If an initial test is positive, the employee or public
official shall be tested again after the expiration of a period of
not less than fifteen (15) minutes in order to confirm that the
test has properly measured the alcohol content of deep lung
air.
B. Because of the inherent limitations of the instrumentation, any
indicative breath test result of less than .82% shall be deemed
a negative test.
DRUG SCREENING PROGRAM
1. Purpose
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The purpose of this directive is to establish City of Sanger policies
and procedures under which the drug screening program will be
implemented.
2. Background
The reason for initiating a drug screening program in the City of
Sanger is that public service is a trust which requires unconditional
adherence to principles of honesty and integrity, and a constant
state of readiness to serve the public in discharging one's duties.
Unfortunately illicit drug use has entered into every segment of our
society including civil government and medical research has
determined that substance abuse has a harmful effect on an
individual's performance of his duties. Substance abuse results in
impaired judgment, lessened work performance and increased
exposure to accidents to fellow workers and the individuals
concerned. For these reasons the City of Sanger has a special
responsibility to insure that members of its city council, appointed
public officials and members of the various city boards and
commissions, the city manager, department heads and their
supervisory employees, all operators of city owned vehicles, all
public safety employees and members of the police reserve force
and the fire department volunteers, and all others occupying
sensitive positions in the city's work force remain drug free. Drug
screening has proven to be an excellent deterrent to the use of
Illegal drugs. Further, when sophisticated laboratory methods are
used, drug screening is technically valid and accurate.
3. Policy
A. Drug screening through urinalysis is a condition of
employment for placement into positions covered by the
program. Candidates with confirmed positive test results
from drug screening shall be subject to loss of consideration
for the position applied for,
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B. Confirmed positive test results from drug screening
demonstrate use of illegal drugs. Consistent with the City's
Personnel Policies public servants who improperly use illegal
drugs may be subject to removal from the public service.
4. Scope
The drug screening program outlined in this directive is limited to
drug testing through urinalysis for all prospective applicants for
city employment, members of the City Council, appointed city
official's and members of city boards or commissions, the city
manager, department heads and their supervisory assistants,
members of the fire and police departments, their reserve or
auxiliary components and all other employees holding sensitive
positions with the City of Sanger. Also included within this drug
screening program are the animal control officer, and all city
personnel who operate city owned or leased vehicles.
This drug screening program shall also extend to city personnel
involved in accidents resulting in injury to persons or damage to
property, to all other employees whose duties are such that lessened
work performance because of substance abuse would have a
substantial adverse impact on the community and shall be further
administered to all persons serving the City of Sanger whether in
an appointed, managerial or employee capacity whenever
circumstances indicate individualized suspicion which would
warrant a reasonably prudent person to believe that such person is
under the influence of controlled substances or alcoholic beverages.
5. Definitions
A. Immunizing: A technique commonly used in drug screening
to detect the presence of drugs in urine. This test uses drug -
specific antibodies to discriminate between positive and
negative samples.
B. Gas Chromatovrat)hv/Mass Sl)ectrometry (GC/MS): An
analytical technique which may be used as a confirmation test
in urinalysis. GUMS confirms the identity and concentration
level of a compound by comparing its unique fragmentation
spectrum and response to that of an analytical standard.
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C. Vehicle: Vehicle means every device, in, upon, or by which
any person or property is or may be transported or drawn
upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or
used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
D. Motor Vehicle: Motor vehicle means every vehicle is self-
propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric
power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated
upon rails.
H. Responsibilities
A. The city manager with the assistance of department heads has
overall program responsibility for the drug screening
program, which includes:
(1) determining positions which are covered by the
program;
(2) authorizing the collection of urine specimens for
individuals tentatively selected for screening;
(3) obtaining technical interpretations of positive test
results;
7. Procedures
A. Notification for prospective employees, newly appointed city
officials and members of boards of city commission.
At the time of notification of tentative selection for a position
covered by the program, tentative selectees will be advised
that their final Selection and placement into a position is
contingent upon successful completion of drug screening
through urinalysis (and nay other pre-employment/placement
conditions such as medical examination, background
investigation, etc.)
H. Notification for all other public officials and employees.
(1) The city manager or his nominee will generate a "blind"
scheduling list of four (4) persons quarterly for drug
screening program examinations.
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(2) The list of names will be certified to insure no
impropriety in selecting personnel.
(3) Departments heads will determine if the selected
employees are on duty.
(4) If employees are on vacation, off -duty or scheduled to
appear in court, their names will be rescheduled for
future selection. Personnel relieved of duty with pay or
on light/limited duty will be required to take the drug
screening test. Personnel on disability will be
scheduled after consultation with their physicians.
(5) The city manager will provide the names of those
personnel selected to the appropriate department heads.
The city manager's office will notify department heads
and appointed city officials and boardmembers of their
scheduled times for the drug screening test.
(6) All personnel will report immediately to the
medical/testing facility after being notified by the
appropriate person. All testing must be completed
before the end of the examinee's tour of duty, but not
later than the day of such notification.
C. Sample Collection
The guidelines described below will be used in the collection
process:
(1) The subject (tentative selectee) may be asked to
report to a collection location. However, if the
collector is not located within reasonable geographic
proximity to the subject, or for other reasons the
collector may come to the subject's location, or the
collector may arrange an alternate location for
sample collection.
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(2) When met by the collector, the subject will be asked
to show a photo identification. If the applicant does
not have one of the types of identification listed
below, he/she will be asked to reschedule the
appointment. Drug screening will not take place
without proper identification.
Acceptable I. D.'s are.-
* Driver's License with photo
* Employee I. D. with photo
* Social Security Card with signature, if no photo
identification is available
No other types of I. D. are acceptable.
(3) After identification is made, the subject will be
required to provide the following information
which will be recorded on a pre -test form. -
Name
Address
Current Job Title/Employer of appointed position
Social Security Number
Age/Sex
Date of Birth
Telephone Number
The subject will then be asked to fill our a second
form which requests the following information:
Name
Social Security Number
Medications taken within the last thirty days (the
disclosure of this information is voluntary)
The subject will also be asked to explain any
circumstances in which he/she may have been in
legitimate contact with illegal substances over the
last thirty days. ,
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The subject will be asked to sign a statement which
indicates that he/she understands the ramifications
of drug screening positive results.
(4) Once the pre -test form has been completed, the
subject will be asked to remove his/her outer
garments (coats, jackets, etc.). In addition, all
personal belongings must remain with the outer
garments. The subject may retain his/her wallet.
No outer garments or personal belongings (purses,
bags, etc.) can be taken into the restroom while the
subject voids.
(5) When the testing takes place, the following
procedures will be used. Observation will be "close"
but not "direct. " That is, the contractor shall not
directly observe the voiding "body to bottle. " Instead,
at the collector's location, precautions will be taken to
prevent sample adulteration.
(6) Upon receiving the specimen bottle back form the
subject, the collector will insure it contains sufficient
urine volume. If there is not enough urine volume in
the bottles, additional urine will need to be collected.
(7) If the subject is unable to void at the appointment
time, or if the amount of urine voided is not sufficient:
a. The subject will be given coffee or water to drink.
The subject should void within the hour.
b. If he/she is unable to void, the subject will be asked
to return within a reasonable period of time during
the same day.
c. If, after this period of time, the subject still cannot
void, the inability to produce a sample will result in
loss of consideration for the position applied for.
Public officials and employees will be scheduled for
a subsequent test.
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D. Chain of Custody
(1) After the urine specimen is collected, the subject
must immediately hand the specimen to the
collector. If the specimen is unusually hot or cold,
another specimen will be collected.
(2) A tamper -proof custody seal will be affixed over
the top of the bottle cap and down the opposite
sides of the bottle. A urine identification label will
be completed and placed around the base of the
bottle, making certain it covers both ends of the
tamper -proof custody seal.
(3) The subject will be asked to read a certification
statement, certifying that the urine in the bottle
came from his/her body, and then sign his/her
signature on the chain of custody forth.
(4) The subject is asked again to show proof of
identification to insure that the signature matches.
(5) The collector witnesses the initial on the tamper-
proof seal, and the signature on the custody form,
by signing his/her name and professional
credentials.
(6) All urine specimens will be placed in plastic bags.
The bags will be sealed tightly and placed in
mailing envelopes. The completed chain of custody
form will be folded in quarters and wrapped
around the plastic bags. The form will be secured
to the bottle.
(7) The Drug Screening Pre -test Form will be placed
in a sealed envelope. The subject's social security
number will be written on the outside of the
envelope. The envelope will be sent to the
coordinator. This envelope will not be opened
unless there is a positive finding, in which case,
any information provided on the Pre -test Form
(such as prescription drugs taken, or legitimate
contact with illegal substances), will be analyzed to
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determine its impact on the test results.
The envelope containing the Pre -test Form will be
destroyed by the Drug Screening Coordinator if
the drug screening test is negative.
(8) The specimen will be delivered to the laboratory or
its authorized representative at the collection
location.
E. Laboratory Procedures/Laboratory Reporting
(1) The contractor uses a combination form which
includes both custody documentation and acts as a
laboratory requisition. This ensures that all of the
necessary information about a particular specimen
arrives at the laboratory at the same time as a
urine specimen.
(2) The laboratory will follow appropriate chain of
custody procedures throughout the period the
sample is being tested.
(3) After testing, negative samples will be discarded
by the laboratory. Only samples testing positive
after both the screening and confirmation tests
will be considered positive. Positive samples will
be retained at the laboratory in a frozen state,
until the Drug Screening Coordinator directs there
to be destroyed.
(4) The laboratory shall report the results of the
testing to the Drug Screening Coordinator.
B. Technical Methodology
A. Range of Drugs
Drugs which will be tested for are as follows; Marijuana
(cannabinoids), Cocaine, Opiates, Amphetamines, and
Phencyclidine.
B. Technical Protocol
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The technical Protocol for the drug screening program is a
screening test using immunoassay. Samples testing positive
will undergo a confirmation test using gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry.
C. Quality Assurance Program
Blind quality assurance samples will randomly be
Intermingled with the specimen samples and analyzed in the
same manner as actual specimens. Blind samples will be
provided by the laboratory to monitor the performance of the
contractor.
9. Personnel Policies
A. Advance Notification
Whenever possible, vacancy announcements and other
recruiting notices will state if a position requires the
successful completion of drug testing prior to final placement
in the position. An applicant who is tentatively selected for a
position will be notified in advance in writing of the drug
testing requirement.
B. Sample Adulteration
Any attempt to substitute another person's urine for one's
own, to adulterate a sample, or fraudulently affect reported
results will result in disciplinary/adverse action.
C. Negative Findings
Negative findings (no illegal drugs in the urine) will be
reported telephonically or by mail by the city manager or his
nominee to the tentative selectee.
D. Positive Findings
(1) Post -Test Follow-up
a, The Drug Screening Pre -test Form of any subject
testing positive will be reviewed to determine if
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the use of prescription drugs was indicated.
If the information on the Pre -test Form is
sufficient to determine that the test results are
consist with the ingestion of the prescription
drugs as described by the subject, rather than the
use of illegal drugs, the technical assessment will
be documented accordingly, and the tentative
selectee will be notified that the results were
negative for drug screening purposes.
If the information on the Pre -test Form is relevant
but insufficient to determine the impact of the
medications upon the test results, the subject will
be notified in writing by the city manager or his
nominee and asked to provide additional
information. In such instances, the subject will
have five work days to provide evidence of
prescriptions taken (i.e., prescription number,
prescription date, and/or a Doctor's certificate
stating that the subject was taking the
medication).
b. The Pre -test Form of any subject testing positive
will be reviewed for information concerning
legitimate contact with illegal drugs. If the
subject indicated on the Pre -test Form that he/she
was in legitimate contact with illegal drugs within
the last 30 days, the subject will be asked to
submit documentation from his/her supervisor
which verifies this contact. Once this
documentation is received the city manager or his
nominee may request the chief of police to verify
the information.
C. An evaluation will be made, with appropriate
assistance from technical experts of all information
provided in connection with the ingestion of
prescription drugs and/or legitimate contact with
illegal substances in order to interpret the test
results. Candidates will be notified in writing of
all interpretations.
CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
(2) Notification of Positive Findings
As indicated above, appointed officials and employees
who test positive and whose Pre -Test Form contains
relevant information on the use of prescription drugs
and/or the legitimate contact with illegal substances,
will be notified in writing of the technical interpretation
of their test results. In addition, officials and employees
who test positive but whose Pre -Test Form does not
contain relevant information will receive written
notification of the positive finding.
(3) Independent Testing - Positive Findings
A public official or employee who tests positive through
drug screening may designate a laboratory for
independent testing of a portion of the sample collected
at the time of drug screening. In such instances, the
laboratory used by the City of Sanger will send a
portion of the original sample to a laboratory designated
by the employee. Such requests must be made in
writing and should be submitted to the city manager.
(4) Actions Taken; Prospective Employees and Public
Officials
Tentative selectees who test positive through drug
screening will be referred to the city manager for a
suitability determination as appropriate. If found
unsuitable, they will lose consideration for the position
applied for.
(5) Actions Taken: Public Officials and Employees
Public officials and employees who test positive through
drug screening consistent with these policies, are subject
to removal from public employment and/or service.
A city employee or public official who does not wish to
challenge a positive finding may voluntarily resign. If
the employee or official submits a resignation before
receipt of an adverse action proposal, the standard form
documenting the employee's or official's resignation will
indicate the employee resigned for personal reasons and
CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
no additional findings relating to the reason for
resignation will be included on the form.
E. Refusals
Any tentative selectee who refuses to undergo drug screening
in conjunction with an employment opportunity will not be
considered for that position. Subsequent applications will
not be affected by a refusal. Adverse actions will be taken
against an employee who refuses drug screening tests and any
documentation adversely affecting subsequent applications.
10. System of Records/Privacy
Records generated by the drug screening program will be
maintained in a system of records and no unauthorized disclosures
shall be made to third persons except in accordance with the Texas
Open Records Act. The results of drug screening tests shall not be
submitted to authorities for use in criminal proceedings.
C17Y SECRETARY
ORIGINAL Copy
SAMPLE
DRUG SCREENING PRE -TEST FORM - THE CITY OF SANGER
Name (Print)
Social Security Number
1. Have you taken any medications in the last thirty days? (You do
not need to list any commonly used over-the-counter medications such as
aspirin or cold preparations). List types of medications and dates taken:
2. Have you been in direct contact with controlled substances (illegal
drugs) in the performance of official duties during the past thirty days?
No
Yes Please explain the circumstances under which direct
contact was made, and the date(s) of such contact(s).
3. My signature below indicates that I understand the following: (1)
satisfactory completion of drug screening is a condition of
employment/placement in the position applied for; (2) if the results of
this test indicate use of illegal drugs, I am subject to loss of consideration
for the position applied for, (3) if I am currently a member of the Sanger
Council, a city employee, an appointed city official or member of any city
board or commission, and the results of this test indicate use of illegal
drugs, I am subject to removal from the public employment for service;
and, (4) if I refuse to undergo drug screening I will lose consideration
for the position applied for, or will be subject to removal as a member of
the city council, from public employment, or from my position as a public
official or member of a board or commission.
signature of subject date signature of witness date
CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
SAMPLE COPY: WHEN TENTATIVELY SELECTED, CANDIDATES WILL
RECEIVE THIS FACT SHEET CONTAINING
PERTINENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TESTING PROCESS
DRUG SCREENING FACT SHEET
PURPOSE: The purpose of the drug screening program is to help
insure that Sanger public officials and its work force are drug -free.
Since public service requires the highest integrity and readiness, the use
of illegal drugs by public officials and employees cannot be tolerated,
Drugs which are included under the Sanger drug screening
program: All controlled substances enumerated in Article 4476-15
V.A. C. S., including, but not limited to: marijuana, cocaine,
amphetamines, opiates (includes heroin and morphine) and PCP.
Arranging an appointment: After receiving advice that you have
been tentatively selected by the City of Sanger, you will be contacted by a
local collection company representative who will set up an appointment
with you for your drug test. The time and place of the drug test will be
worked out between you and the company representative. Normally, you
will be asked to report to a clinic located near your residence or place of
business. In some cases, especially if you live in a remote geographic
location and if a company representative is not located near you, the
representative will travel to your location for the purpose of ,your drug
test. In those cases, you and the representative will work out a meeting
place of mutual convenience, such as a local hospital, clinic, or a public
building such as a police station.
What to bring to your appointment:
1. Be sure to bring one of the following types of identification:
• Driver's License with photo
• Employee I. D. with photo
• Social Security Card with signature, if no photo identification
is available
No other types of I. D. are acceptable.
CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
2. You should also bring any information relating to any prescription
medications you are currently taking or have taken during the past thirty
days such as a note from a doctor indicating such medications, or other
prescription information including date of prescription, type of
medication prescribed, medication concentration, frequency of use, date
medication was last taken, prescription number, name of the physician
prescribing the medication, and date of prescription.
CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
C I TY OF SANGER
EMPLOYEES' DRUG TESTING HANDBOOK
Acknowledgment
I , , do hereby certify that I
have read and do understand the drug testing rules and regulations as
established by the City of Sanger,
Signature
Date
PLEASE RETURN TO CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS OF RECEIPT
CITY SECRETARY
ORIGINAL COPY
Appendix i
Drug Screening Program
Positions Covered
The following positions will require drug screening as a condition of
appointment/employment and continued retention into the position except
as provided otherwise.
specific Positions
All Prospective Employees and/or Appointed City Officials or
Members of Boards or Commissions
Members of the City Council
Appointed City Officials
City Manager
Department Heads
Supervisory Employees of each City Department
Members of the Sanger Police Reserve Force
Members of the Fire Department
Members of the Sanger Volunteer Fire Department
The Animal Control Officer
All City Employees who operate City Owned or Leased Vehicles
or Motor Vehicles
All other Employees Holding Sensitive Positions
CITY OF SANGER
P. O. Box 578
Sanger, Texas 78208
Dear
CITY SECRETARY
00I6INAL COPY
We are pleased to advise you that you have been tentatively selected
for employment or appointment to a city position as. f.pllows :
Position Title:
Salary:
At this time, your selection is considered tentative since the position
offered or appointment is contingent upon your meeting the applicable
requirements designated below:
DRUG SCREENING TEST
Continued consideration for this position is contingent upon
satisfactory completion of a drug screening test. Drug screening will be
performed through laboratory analysis of a sample of your urine. Since
satisfactory completion of drug screening is a condition of
employment/appointment, candidates with positive findings indicating the
use of illegal drugs are subject to loss of consideration for this position.