Drug test for Hub officers stirs bias fear

Boston Globe ^ | June 22, 2002 | Francie Latour

[sarcasm]

According to figures released by the department yesterday, 45 officers have tested positive for drugs, 2 percent of the 2,178-member force. All officers are tested annually, but at random times.

Of those 45 officers, 16, or more than one-third, were white, while nearly two-thirds of those testing positive were minorities. Of the 29 blacks and Hispanics who tested positive, the vast majority, 26, were black. No Asians have tested positive for drug use.

[KeyWest]

Sounds a lot like the charges of racial profiling in NJ for blacks picked up for speeding. Just like here, it was charged that it was all racial. Turned out that more blacks did speed so no racial profiling.

It will be nice when everyone is treated equally in the US. Right now, there are too many groups trying to be treated preferentially.

[knuthom]

''It just does not make sense that black people have more of a drug problem than white people,'' Alkins said.

Maybe it is time for him to consider that possibility. Remember the NJ study of speeders. They found that black drivers were in fact more likely to significantly exceed the speed limit.
N.J. says blacks biggest speeders

If there are drug problems, denial will never help fix it.

[truth_session]

In order to reach that threshold, McDonnell said, requires ''repeated use of cocaine over a period of time. You cannot consume enough cocaine in one sitting to test positive. You would die of a heart attack first.''

He's stating facts of science; he must be racist. Only a mean old racist would be concerned with the facts.

Never mind the fact that they were found breaking the law.

[goody2shooz]

Make 'em give a urine sample at the same time. Then let's see the results. Bet it is exactly the same.

[gonzo]

"...Of those 45 officers, 16, or more than one-third, were white, while nearly two-thirds of those testing positive were minorities. Of the 29 blacks and Hispanics who tested positive, the vast majority, 26, were black. No Asians have tested positive for drug use.

Gigantic, hysterical-laughing BUMP!!.............FRegards

[Tripleplay]

''It just does not make sense that black people have more of a drug problem than white people,''

But it "does" make sense that only white people can be racist.

[Stirner]

The only drugs mentioned are cocaine and amphetamine. What about pot? While it is the mildest of illegal drugs, I have heard its residues linger in the body longer and are more easily detectable than the others. If there are 26 coke users, there has to be 200 potheads, by my guess. Maybe the union contract limits the test to only certain substances. To me, the real story here is how small the numbers of people, of whatever race, are testing positive.

[Semper Paratus]

Bias against drug users.

Good thing it isn't including alcohol though.