I originally posted this locally, but decided to post it here since we are the DZ that will be starting the drug testing. O.k. Lets put an end to the rumors and speculations about the drug testing. As the manager of the DZ, I played a major role in the decision for the testing. Here are the facts of our decision. First, I am one of the most anti-drug persons you will find. I have never touched an illegal drug, nor have I ever smoked a cigarette. I don't even drink. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you just how I feel about any of the above subjects. With that said, don't ever attempt to bring any illegal substance to the DZ, for I will be the first to kick you off the airport. What people do on their own time away from the DZ is their own business. However, when it comes to the business I have a different opinion. In all 50 states, driving is a privilege, not a right. If you are pulled over and are asked to take a sobriety test, you have a right to refuse, but you will lose your PRIVILEGE to drive. Colorado is a right to hire / right to fire state for any reason as long as it doesn't involve race, sex, religion, or age. Therefore working for any business is a privilege, not a right. If you refuse to take a drug test from a company that has a drug test policy, you may lose your privilege. As far as a civil right issue, oh please, if that had any weight to it, the ACLU would be marching at the doorstep of the millions of businesses across the country everyday that drug test. If you were in a any kind of accident and found unconscious, and later woke up in the hospital and found out they took blood tests…would you sue them for violating your civil rights? If you answered yes to that question, you have some serious personal issues. Now back to the DZ's decision. If you think that this is a ploy for advertising get a grip. Do you really think people will base their decision solely on weather a DZ drug tests? Sure there may be a few radical people out there that might, but not enough to outweigh the cost and the hassle factor of doing the tests. Saying drug testing is for advertising is completely ambiguous. I can think of a thousand better ways to spend that money on real advertising. As far as a witch hunt. If I suspected anyone of the staff of being impaired in anyway. I personally would ask that person to prove to me otherwise including a drug test. I have no problem firing a person on the spot I believe is impaired (the obvious impaired). I have that right. The reality is, it is impossible to know how every person acts if they are impaired. Therefore, to make it fair, drug testing everyone on hire and random is the way to go. Attacking other drop zones. I would love to see all the Colorado drop zones institute drug testing. It can only help the sport here in our state. Can anyone honestly say that people wouldn't want to learn to skydive in CO because they drug test their staff? That’s the same as saying I refuse to fly with the airlines because the FAA tests the pilots. Would you feel safer if they didn't? Once again I encourage all CO DZ's to follow suit. The bottom line. We feel at our DZ that drug testing can only promote the extra safety steps and the professionalism of the sport. I firmly believe that anyone who uses illegal drugs and is involved in the risk of other peoples lives should seek another profession. I would love to see an instructor tell a first time student… "Oh, by the way, when I'm not at work I use illegal drugs. Don't worry, I'm fine now. You can trust me, I always follow the rules." Once again our decision is based on safety. We cannot prevent all human errors. We can however help to ensure the public that we are taking steps for their safety. How can anyone argue with that. We have had overwhelming support from our staff. Out of all the instructors, most were 100% supportive, a few didn't care one way or the other, and only 1 instructor outright opposed and refused to work there anymore. I hope I have set the record straight on this subject. At a time when the TSA is trying to secure the skies and sometimes steps on us little guys, we have to show them that the USPA and the skydiving industry can self-regulate. And if our drop zone has to lead by example, we will.
