TTC releases latest drug test numbers in CEO report
Posted February 28, 2019 6:48 pm.
Last Updated February 28, 2019 6:50 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The TTC has released the latest numbers from its random employee drug tests, with the largest number of positive results being attributed to cannabis.
The results, listed in the TTC’s February CEO’s report, says 2 per cent of the 4,300 TTC workers — a total of 82 employees — either failed or refused to take a drug test between May 2017 and December 2018.
By the numbers, the substances found in the positive tests included:
- Cannabis – 62 per cent
- Cocaine – 20 per cent
- Alcohol – 9 per cent
- Opioids – 7 per cent
- Amphetamines – 2 per cent
The TTC began random drug testing of employees in May 2017. The union representing TTC workers had sought an injunction against the move, citing workers’ privacy rights, but it was dismissed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Associate Chief Justice Frank Marrocco said in his decision that public safety outweighs privacy concerns, adding that evidence shows there is a demonstrated workplace drug and alcohol problem at the TTC.
Within the first month of testing, five TTC employees tested positive for drugs or alcohol.
