Third Indian Point guard tests positive for cocaine

A third Indian Point guard has tested positive for cocaine this year, according to plant operator Entergy. The drug use was discovered after the guard underwent a random test. "He was suspended [without

News 12 Staff

May 28, 2014, 6:56 PM

Updated 3,784 days ago

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A third Indian Point guard has tested positive for cocaine this year, according to plant operator Entergy.
The drug use was discovered after the guard underwent a random test. "He was suspended [without pay] for 14 days, enrolled in our employee assistance program and will be evaluated upon the completion," says Entergy spokesman Jerry Nappi.
In March, a female guard tested positive for cocaine after she left her post and failed to respond to radio calls. A male guard was also caught that month after he was tested upon returning from an absence of more than 30 days, which is company policy. One of those guards is back on the job, the other quit.
"I think the important thing to remember is that we did catch these individuals. Most businesses don't have something like this in place," Nappi says, referring to Entergy's random drug testing policy. "We're not immuned in the nuclear power industry.""You can't compare a nuclear power plant with any other industry," says Susan Tolchin, spokeswoman for Westchester County Executive Andy Spano. "There's a problem. There's a problem with the way the plant's being run and that's one of the reasons why the county executive would like to see it not re-licensed."
Some residents agree. "Security guards are supposed to be top standard," says Michael James, of Peekskill. "They're defending the nuclear power plant that can destroy all of Westchester."
About 50 percent of Entergy employees undergo a random urine test each year.