The Nation : Transport Agency Weighs Alcohol Tests

The Transportation Department is considering expanding its drug-testing program to include random checks for alcohol abuse among 4 million transportation workers, Secretary Samuel K. Skinner told Congress. Skinner also said that he would recommend that President Bush veto a House anti-drug bill, if passed, because the measure covering railroad workers would require the Administration to start over on a drug-testing program it has already ordered. Skinner made the announcement on alcohol testing before a Senate committee considering its version of legislation to require random testing throughout the transportation industries. The Transportation Department last November ordered drug testing programs in private transportation industries beginning at the end of this year, but the programs face court challenges.