THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 11, 1996 TAG: 9603090010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
On Feb. 6, Norfolk City Council took an important step in the city's fight against drug use and the crime that comes with it.
After 18 months of intense scrutiny and debate, council members displayed vision and courage by voting to adopt an ordinance (effective March 1) that requires all employees on city-financed construction projects to be drug free.
Police Capt. Ben Rogerson at an earlier council meeting had noted that Norfolk ``spends $4 million dollars on drug enforcement'' each year. The drug-free ordinance will help Norfolk in its fight to keep drugs off the street.
Those of us in the construction industry know how important it is to be alert and in possession of all of one's faculties on a job site. Construction work historically has been and is one of the most-dangerous occupations a person can enter. There is no place for drugs in the construction industry.
The ordinance is good for business because a drug-free workplace reduces absenteeism and Worker's Compensation costs and adds to employees' overall productivity.
Taxpayers in Norfolk will be getting a better product for their tax dollars when contractors are required to ensure their employees are drug free. Employees will be getting a safer, more-productive workplace because of this ordinance.
Norfolk is a pioneer - the first city to adopt a drug-free workplace rule for city-financed construction projects in Hampton Roads. Those on council who displayed the vision and courage to vote for this ordinance merit thanks. The Virginia State Building and Construction Trades Council calls on all other cities in the region to catch the spirit and to adopt a similar ordinance.
C. RAY DAVENPORT, president
Virginia State Building
and Construction Trades Council
Richmond, Feb. 14, 1996 by CNB