Employee's Volunteer's Requirements Drug Testing and Background Checks Part 2 of 3

Employee Volunteer Drug Testing and Background Checks in the LMRFD Part 2 of 3 
Drug Testing

When I lived in Dolan Springs back in the 90's the fire department had six Advanced Life Support ambulances and lots of volunteers. They were often seen around the fire station with the doors open. What changed?

One reason was the economy went down, but there had to be more to it, after all volunteer firefighters save the U.S. millions of dollars each year and make up 70% of America's firefighters. 

Another change was America was in the middle of President Reagan's war on drugs and drug testing was becoming big business. 

Before anyone says anything let me say nobody should ever show up to work or on a call impaired, we simply don't need you there. 

It seems the LMRFD lost many volunteers during that time and changes in drug policy may have had something to do with it.

When someone looks at the LMRFD drug policy it's confusing. It say's "under district policy alcohol is include within the meaning and prohibition of drugs". Application LINK It needs to be updated and please take Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District's name out of the LMRFD application on pg 6.

It's 2019 and 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use, 10 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use. 

Our neighboring states of California and Nevada are two of the states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. If someone use marijuana legally in Las Vegas should they be fired for failing a drug test weeks later? 

In 2013 AZFamily Report did a report on first responders and medical marijuana. Even back then several agencies including fire departments allowed medical marijuana use. That was six years ago...

Because of 50 years of drug war propaganda saying some drugs are bad, marijuana is stigmatized and we need to get over it. Why is it ok for a firefighter to get drunk and show up the next day hung over, but if they used marijuana a week ago and get drug tested they're fired?

It appears we lost many volunteers when drug testing was started in the 90's, it may be time to follow the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act and not discriminate against employees or volunteers who use medical marijuana.