Charles Bolinger, charles.bolinger@edwpub.net

Published

3:07 pm CDT, Sunday, May 10, 2020

MARYVILLE – With the state passing recreational cannabis almost a year ago and Collinsville opening a medicinal, and now a recreational dispensary nearby, Maryville trustees approved an updated employee drug policy Wednesday.

“This hasn’t been updated for years but we still want to maintain a drug-free workplace,” said Mayor Craig Short.

Cannabis joins an already lengthy list of substances, including cocaine, heroin, steroids, LSD and many others. Among the policy’s restrictions, employees are prohibited from:

• Possessing, making, distributing or selling drugs, related paraphernalia or alcohol while on or in village property

• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on or in village property, while conducting work-related business or during working hours

• Being under the influence of legal or prescribed medication or chemicals, used in excess of, or in non-conformity with, prescribed limits while on or in village property, conducting work-related business or during working hours

• Using, possessing, making, distributing or selling drugs, related paraphernalia or alcohol while off-duty

• None of the village’s first responders are allowed to keep, use, make, distribute or sell cannabis while on- or off-duty

Employees must notify supervisors of any known medical side effects from prescriptions, chemicals and supplements they are taking or took prior to starting work; they must notify superiors about any drug convictions, arrests or relevant pleas related to drugs or alcohol. Employees must also submit to drug testing in accordance with this policy.

Employees in safety-sensitive positions are subject to drug testing under different and additional circumstances to other employees, including “reasonable suspicion.” Of the village’s 39 full-time employees, all of the ones in public safety and anyone who operates and/or repairs heavy machinery fall into the safety-sensitive classification. Only five village employees do not fall into that classification, Short added.

For the complete drug and alcohol policy details, contact the village clerk, Jolene Henry, at clerk@maryville-il.us.

Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at (618) 659-5735