Roland Heyne and Drug Testing
E N Q U I R E R L O C A L N E W S C O V E R A G E Tuesday, March 17, 1998 Mayor wants drug tests for Arlington Heights elected officials
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - A longstanding policy of screening village employees for drug use will now include elected officials, council decided Monday. But one councilman said the plan is politically motivated and a violation of his constitutional rights. Councilman Roland Heyne Jr., who advocates legalization of marijuana for medicinal use, opposes the testing.
''I'll refuse under my constitutional rights,'' Mr. Heyne said. ''It's a rights issue with me.''
Mayor Glenn Allen, acting on a 1992 ordinance that requires all employees and officials to undergo medical evaluations when requested, asked council to arrange tests for themselves beginning immediately. Councilwomen Shirley Wilkerson and Cindy Brock and Mr. Heyne were asked to arrange for their tests this week. The other three council members are to be tested in the coming weeks. Mr. Allen, Law Director Terrance Ladrigan and Clerk Jeff Clark will follow.
''I feel that we should look at this and try to do this,'' Mr. Allen said. ''I've got new people elected, and I think that I should start enforcing the ordinances that I have.'' Mr. Allen, a councilman for 10 years and mayor for eight, said he does not recall any elected officials being asked to take a test. The ordinance ''is not new, but we haven't been enforcing it,'' he said. ''Now I'm saying all (should be screened), including myself.''
He said drug testing helps ensure a safe working environment and can lead to reduced insurance rates. The ordinance, written in 1990 and revised in 1992, says village employees and officials can be asked to undergo medical testing to ensure fitness for duty. The intent of the ordinance is to provide a safe, drug-free work environment in the municipality. Most council members approved of the expanded testing, and there was no opposition voiced during the meeting. ''I'll give the drug test, it doesn't bother me,'' Councilwoman Brock said. ''I think it's great.''
Councilman Jim Randall said most employers have some kind of random drug testing for personnel. ''I can't see anything wrong with it. I have no problem with it whatsoever,'' he said.
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1998/03/17/loc_arlhts.html