New Mexico Jail Official On Leave After Positive Drug Test

Metro Detention Center officials say a corrections officer has been placed on leave for a positive drug test that may be a result of medical marijuana use.  KOB-TV reports that officials at the Bernalillo County jail say the officer could now be fired.

MDC Chief Ramon Rustin told KOB-TV that the officer could be fired because he wants officers to be "100 percent aware" due to numerous life and death situations in jail that could happen very quickly.

MDC officials say jail staff face random group drug testing, and the officer was part of one such group.

The jail has not named the corrections officer who is now on leave.

Rustin says there may be a decision next week whether the employee will be fired.

___

Information from: KOB-TV, http://www.kob.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.