Officers Challenge Hair Testing
by TChris
Seven African American police officers who tested positive for cocaine use are suing the Boston Police Department. They all say they didn't ingest cocaine, although they may have been contaminated with it during the course of their work. They contend that tests of their hair are unreliable and racially biased.
Their civil rights lawsuit is one of many legal challenges against hair drug tests, which are used by companies and police departments nationwide. Employers like the test because it can detect drugs up to three months after use; urine tests go back only a few days and can be easily altered.
But studies have found dark-haired people are more likely to test positive for drugs because they have higher levels of melanin, which allows drug compounds to bind more easily to their hair.
A few days after the positive tests, six of the seven officers had negative hair tests. Yet departmental policy requires officers with a positive test to enter into a rehabilitation agreement during a 45 day suspension or be fired. The six officers refused. They hope the lawsuit will lead to their reinstatement.
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