Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is upset. He’s upset that so many firefighters are getting arrested via drug charges, and he’s had enough of it. So for the first time ever in the city, Pittsburgh fighters will be forced to undergo random drug testing. I think for once in my life I actually agree with what Mayor Luke is thinking on this issue.
Just like everyone else, Ravenstahl is tired of seeing the reports on the television about some firefighter busted for drugs:
“The reality is they’ve had some instances in their fire bureau that were unacceptable to me. It had to change and we needed to have it in the contract,”
Good deal, I’m glad that this is actually going to be in the next labor contract they sign so there is no way to get out of the issue. Out of all the drug issues, the past few months have seemed to of been the breaking point for good old boy wonder:
In April, a firefighter was arrested at Dan McGibbeny Memorial Field in Brookline after waving a gun. Drugs were also found in his car.
In July, there were two incidents. A firefighter was accused of calling in false alarms to his own firehouse. When the trucks left, he admitted to robbing fellow firefighters. He told police he was on heroin and his life had fallen apart.
Two weeks later in Beechview, an on-duty firefighter was accused of making a drug deal in the firehouse.
It’s also great to see that since then, the city council has made no exceptions and has been adamant on the fact that if random drug testing isn’t in the new labor contract, they will not sign it. I never understood why the police had to have random drug testings while the fire department didn’t. All officials that work for the local government should be subject to all those tests. Also, to be included in the new contract are even more stringent rules for new recruits.
They will be drug tested thoroughly through the means of urine, hair and skin samples. These particular tests can determine drug use for up to three years and in some cases five years. Intense stuff, but if that’s whats needed to keep us safe from ourselves then by all means, go through with it.
Information about this article used from KDKA.com – http://kdka.com/local/Pittsburgh.firefighters.drug.2.1272257.html
Tue, Oct 27, 2009
Political