Comments on: More Flathead Employees Failing Drug Tests
By Westside2 on 02-07-12
If only one viewpoint is presented is it really journalism?
By Firebeam on 02-07-12
Do you think it could have something to do with the dramatic increase in availability of “medical” marijuana?? The dispensaries were easily found and scripts easily obtained for ANY medical condition the like of which include hangnails and plantar warts. I don’t touch the stuff myself, but I can sure see
where the long, dark winters here could make a soul long for a little “warmth”. It ought to be legal and
taxed…it’s that simple.
By thinker on 02-07-12
I’m usually better informed after reading the in depth articles in the Beacon, but this one I find confusing.
The lead example shows Northwest Healthcare failure rates. In 2007 that failure rate was 2.14%
and in 2011, it was 2.85, yet the article discusses numbers up to 30%. All anyone will remember
are the biggest numbers.
I think you could have done a better job of clarifying the numbers and their derivation.
While drug use is not compatible with responsible job performance, I do have a problem with the
idea that a company can accuse someone of illegal activity unless they prove, on a regular basis,
they were innocent of the intimidating and erroneous accusation, under the threat of losing their
means of survival.
By David E on 02-07-12
2.85% is hardly a crisis. Now if you were to add testing for Alcohol consumption you might then have a crisis to report. It is a red herring issue.
By ICallB.S. on 02-07-12
You mean to tell me someone in this town is actually hiring? I’m drug free, but jumping through hoops to make $9.50 an hour isn’t going to cut it. If you want quality employees, you’re gonna
have to pay for ‘em.
By ponymt on 02-08-12
Too often the following statement is presented as a legitimate argument; “they’re going to do it anyway, so we may as well legalize it and make money from it”. In fact, this is no argument at all.
Consider if this same “logic” were applied to raising children, the result would be spoiled
misbehaved Juvenal delinquents. If it were used as a business model for managing employees, it
would utter chaos. And just imagine if this same “logic” were to be applied to US immigration and
how we manage our borders? Oh wait… Follow this lunacy to its ultimate conclusion and you
have total anarchy. Additionally, consider how “responsible” society has proven itself with the one
By ponymt on 02-08-12
I’m not sure why it cut my statement short but the following is the complete sentence..
Additionally, consider how “responsible” society has proven itself with the one drug that is
legal, and yet some believe we should legalize another one?
By hotfishmt on 02-10-12
One of my pet peeves for many a year…are the use of “percentage” in all kinds of data…and most people know they can be jacked around to make something look bad that is
not bad. Like the story on failed drug test….rather than put %, why not use all the data. The
total number tested, number passed, number failed and variety of other so called MEGA
DRUGS….with numerous side affects.
One thing that turns my stomach is ALL the adds for legal drugs on TV….that say it help
with ?? and then a monster list of the side affects….cure is worse than the problem.
By Tox on 02-10-12
I can’t help but find it utterly repulsive that employers can be allowed to run drug tests ontheir employees. I mean talking about invasion of privacy! Is there no longer even the sanctity
of your own body?
I guess not. In the “Land of the Free” we have a higher incarceration rate than anybody else.
Several times more than places like China and Iran. And what for? Mostly for the failed and
futile “War on Drugs”. But that ain’t good enough for the zealots of the squeaky clean. They
have to pry into people’s private lives and bodies to make sure they kowtow to their big brother
aspirations. And thereby even create an industry specialized in invading people’s body’s and
privacy.
It’s pretty sick, and strikes me as quite Un-American, and very Un-Montanan
By waterman on 02-10-12
Tox - I understand and agree w/parts of your your argument. Then consider an airline pilot, or any other similar occupation, on heroin or other mind altering drug . The airline does it for their own
libility reasons that I, for some parts, agree with. When you take this into consideration then both
sides have valid arguments. Personal privacy vs. public safety of hundreds. As for me, I’ll still
agree w/having the pilots personal privacy invaded for the safety of hundreds. Maybe, thousands
if something similar to 9/11 should occur. Remember that the pilot does not have to submit to any
test. It is a condition of employment and if you do not like the conditions, then he is free to seek
work elsewhere.
By mooseberryinn on 02-10-12
Yes indeedy, let’s have hop-heads, blitzed-out druggies, operating heavy machinery and/or other variety of dangerous stuff! Think of the entertainment value in the crashes, blood, guts, and bodies scattered
around.
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.