Councilman Calls for All Members to Be Drug Tested

Councilman Charles Evans said he has heard concerns in the community that some council members might be using drugs. Most of the concerns were about one member, Evans said, but he would not name the person.

Evans has been upfront about his own drug use years ago, before he was elected to council. He says all other city employees must undergo drug testing, so why not elected officials?

“I think it would be a good thing if council members would be tested, because we are no different from city employees … and paid by their tax dollars,” he said.

Evans pleaded guilty to embezzlement and felony cocaine possession in 1992. He said he committed the crimes because he was addicted to drugs and alcohol. He said he's been clean of everything since December 2001, before he was elected to council.

On Thursday, he wrote a memo to City Manager Dale Iman suggesting a discussion of drug testing for council members. It will be on the agenda when the council has its next work session Jan. 7.

In order for it to become policy, city council would have to vote on it. Evans said he's not aware of any other city that requires council members to undergo drug tests.