Jul 20 2009
Y-12 Nuclear Weapons Plant Guards Tested For Anabolic Steroids; 4 Dismissed
The International Guards Union of America is concerned on the dismissal of four Y-12 Nuclear Weapons Plant Security Police Officers (SPO’s) for positive anabolic steroids test. Union President Randy Lawson said that Wackenhut Services Inc., the security contractor of the facility, did not disclose full information on the testing conducted on its guards. There were also no clear guidelines on the said testing and the company did not provide a list of legal drugs which could lead to a positive test. The union is contesting the result of the tests since the guards claimed it was due to an over the counter supplements. According to the union president, the recent steroid testing and the uncertainty on what could lead to a positive test created chaos in the Oak Ridge Security force.
Wackenhut regularly conduct a random drug test on its guards under the Schedule I and II substances which includes cocaine and marijuana. Recently, due to reports that some of its guards are involved into taking anabolic steroids, they have included in the test Schedule III substances. In the interview of KnoxNews, spokeswoman Courtney Henry said, “We received credible information alleging the SPOs (security police officers) were involved in the activity and tested under our drug-free workplace policy. Use of steroids violates both company policy and Department of Energy policy.”
Seven Oak Ridge security guards were asked to submit samples for steroids tests. All of them worked at Y-12, where nuclear warhead parts are manufactured and dismantled. Based on the statement of Wackenhut, of the seven individuals who complied with the test, 2 found to be negative and 5 returned a positive result. “One was positive but had a valid prescription; and four were positive with no prescription and were terminated under the provisions of the (Wackenhut) policy,” according to the report.
The company has existing drug policies similar to professional sports organizations and the International Olympic Committee. Henry said that it is the responsibility of the individual taking any drug or supplement to insure that it is not violating the drug policies of the company. The company still believes that the recent positive test of 5 security police officers does not imply that there is a rampant use of anabolic steroids in the Oak Ridge Security Force.
Courtney Henry said that they are aware of the use by some security police officers of performance enhancing stimulants which can be purchased and taken legally. “Independent studies have shown that between 10 percent and 25 percent of legally obtained performance-enhancing supplements contain enough anabolic steroids to result in a positive drug test for steroids, or metabolize in an individual system in a manner that causes a positive drug test. Although we cannot prohibit the use of these legal supplements, we have strongly discouraged their use,” she added.
Based on the drug policy of the company, any positive drug test will result in termination. The guards took the risk in using those over-the-counter supplements. According to Henry, one of the supplements had a warning label stating that the “use of this product may be banned by some athletic or government associations (including military). Athletes and others should consult their sanctioning organization before using.”
If you look at the track record of Wackenhut, their guards include steroid users, criminals and other degenerates that are not fit for protecting the public. They shouldn’t even be in business.
[...] regular drug testing of the security contractor for the Y12 facilities in Oak Ridge resulted in the dismissal of 4 security officers. They normally test for Schedule I and II substances but recently included steroid in its list. The [...]