FOLLOW UP

[Citizen]

Can you please let us know if the employees mentioned in this story
have been terminated?
-Citizen
The Monitor
March 17,2005 - The city has completed its investigation of drug use
among city employees. City Manager Isauro Treviño said he received the
report Wednesday afternoon from the police department about possible
drug use in the Mission Parks and Recreation Department. Treviño
launched the investigation March 4 after Police Chief Leo Longoria and
Mission Parks and Recreation Director Joe Villegas informed him that
some city employees may have been using cocaine and marijuana. Treviño
said he would review the findings Wednesday evening and make a decision
today. "All I know is two people tested positive on cocaine," Treviño
said. Although Longoria had suggested earlier that more than one
department could be involved, he said Wednesday the abuse seemed to
involve employees only from the parks department. Villegas informed
Longoria about city employees using illegal drugs after receiving an
anonymous tip, Longoria said. "Part of my investigation included
requiring a urinalysis of employees," Longoria said. "Two employees
came back positive for use of illicit drugs." Longoria would not
specify what specific drugs the employees had in their systems.
Longoria suggested more people may be involved, but would not
elaborate. The employees in question appear to only be using illicit
drugs, not selling. Longoria has also said he is conducting a separate
criminal investigation. "If there's any drugs being sold or consumed,
I will definitely pursue criminal charges," he said. Treviño said the
case is an isolated incident and he has never encountered a similar
situation in Mission. He did not know how long the illegal activity had
been occurring, but it warrants termination, according to city policy.

[Website Administrator]

After a thorough investigation, the two employees were released from
employment by the City. In order to properly address the matter, the
City is budgeting additional money to be spent on random drug tests for
all City employees. The City elected officials and Administration have
made it abundantly clear that drug-use by city employees will not be
tolerated and will be grounds for dismissal. Thank you.