I haven’t seen anyone fired for using drugs since 1995 when I was a Human Resources intern. I’ve always worked in highly regulated environments, but most companies — including the company where I did my internship in mid 90s — have very forgiving drug abuse policies. If you’re willing to go to rehab and work to maintain sobriety, there is always some level of forgiveness.
(Unfortunately, in 1995, I watched 15 people undergo on-site testing for drugs, fail the tests in a mobile lab, and then walk off the job instead of choosing rehab. We hired non-English-speaking Bosnian refugees — who immigrated to St. Louis straight from a war zone — to replace them. So weird.)
Anyway, I’m really curious about the inner workings of the HR Department at CNN and how they’re handing the scuttlebutt around Richard Quest, the totally weird & kooky CNN reporter who always seems to be covering Princess Diana (even though she’s been dead for a gazillion years).
From the NYT’s:
Richard Quest, a reporter and business travel specialist for CNN, is being arraigned today on a misdemeanor charge of drug possession after the authorities said he was found with methamphetamine in Central Park.
Mr. Quest was arrested early Friday morning after being escorted out of Central Park for violating the park curfew, a law enforcement official said Friday. The park is closed from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
The police noticed Mr. Quest at 64th Street and West Drive at about 3:40 a.m., the official said. As he was being escorted out, he volunteered, “I have meth in my pocket,” according to an official briefed on the case. The police searched him and recovered a small amount of methamphetamine in a Ziploc bag.
Mr. Quest is a high-profile correspondent for CNN International, known for feature reports and profiles. CNN calls Mr. Quest, who is British, one of the network’s “most instantly recognizable members.” He hosts “CNN Business Traveler” and a feature program titled “Quest” for the news network. CNN had no immediate comment.
The weird part about this story is not the fact that Quest was found in Central Park with meth in his pocket. The truly bizarre part of the story is that he was found with a rope tied around his neck — and the rope was attached to his genitals.
Huh. People do weird things on drugs, but what’s that about?
I know that Americans love a good story that includes a rise, a fall, and redemption; however, what do you do with your British employee when he commits a crime in Central Park? Furthermore, how do you manage through the issues of confidentiality and privacy — and balance the employee’s needs with the public image of your company — when the employee made such a stupid (and obviously insane) mistake?
Oy. Good luck to Richard Quest.
the trees are in bloom. so’s my chubber!
Cols, my crumpet’s getting stiff.
Ah, summer is almost here and there’s nothing we British like more than grabbing a rope & a bag of Meth and heading out to the park… I dunno, I’ll never understand your crazy American police or culture.
There’s always a tendency to think that drug users (especially meth users) are on the fringe. However if you take a look at this page from the All Positive Options website (arguably the best addiction and recovery site on the net) you’ll see that people that get caught up with meth do not fit the typical profile. As they point out, meth is unique in its ability to reach demographics not normally associated with substance abuse. Check it out - it’s a real eye opener and perhaps a wake-up call.
http://www.allpositiveoptions.com/APOMeth6aa.htm
Tara
@Neil I thought ropes and meth use were relegated to my neighbors in Michigan. It’s just weird to see this happening to a news reporter.
@Tara Very interesting and underscores how the war on drugs is stupid, fails to understand the psychology of addiction, and targets the wrong segment of our society. Thanks for posting this — it’s compelling stuff.
If I were in CNN’s HR department my main concern would be how do I keep a straight face next time I see him.
You know, I normally deal with drunks and guys who don’t pay child support — not meth addicts with a rope fetish. It’s a different kind of HR at CNN.
My last company fired people for drug use. The policy was that you could come admit to them and then they would help you get help (or support you in the help you’re already getting). However, you would need to do that before we catch you intoxicated on the job and make you take a drug test. I always thought it was a good policy.
As far as Quest goes, I think “celebrities” can get away with a lot and continue on with their career.
The article says he also had a sex toy in his boot. I was thinking “boot” was a euphemism for “butt”, but they really meant his shoe….
Boots are trunks in the UK, Mona, and trunks are butts in the United States. You may be on to something…