Former Edmonton-Strathcona MP (and husband of current conservative cabinet minister, Helena Guergis) Rahim Jaffer, has just been charged with drunk driving and possession of cocaine.
Ontario police stopped 37-year-old, Jaffer on Sept. 11 on Regional Road 50 in Palgrave, Ontario because he was speeding through the village. “When the officer approached the car, she smelled the odour of alcohol and demanded a roadside screening test, which [Mr. Jaffer] failed,” said Caledon OPP Sergeant Mike Garant. “He was arrested and searched, and that’s when the alleged cocaine was found on his person.” Mr. Jaffer was taken to the Caledon OPP office where he provided two more breath samples, which registered more than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100ml of blood, said Sgt. Garant. After spending about four hours in police custody — part of which was spent in a jail cell while police processed his case — Mr. Jaffer was released. His license was suspended for 90 days.
Jaffer became the first Muslim to be elected to the House of Commons when he won the Edmonton-Strathcona seat at the age of 25 in 1997. He held the riding until last year’s federal election, when he lost to NDP rival Linda Duncan.
Days before the vote, Jaffer’s campaign approved radio ads chiding NDP Leader Jack Layton for comments years earlier that Jaffer cast as broad support for marijuana use.
The spots said, in part: “Edmontonians understand how difficult it is to make sure our children make the right choices, especially on serious issues like drug use. The Conservative Party supports drug-free schools and getting tough with drug dealers who sell illegal drugs to children. Don’t let our schools go up in smoke. On Oct. 14 vote Conservative.”
I find it extremely disheartening that a public figure known for his anti-drug stance has received drug charges for cocaine possession. The only real lesson that I can take from this story is a reminder that drug use and abuse is not just a blue collar, low income problem. Employers in white collar jobs also need to be aware that drug abuse is a significant problem, and can have substantial consequences within the company.
Drug abuse in the workplace results in:
- 5 times more Workers Compensation claims
- 30% greater employee turnover
- 40 versus 4 days of employee absenteeism
- 36 times higher employee theft
- 300 - 400% more health care benefit utilization
- A greater chance of workplace violence (66% of those arrested in such incidences test positive)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
As someone in the public eye, Mr. Jaffer should have taken extra measures to abstain from illegal activities. I am in no way condoning drug use or impaired driving for the average citizen, but people in the public eye do have a greater responsibility to be a role model to the public. Mr. Jaffer will now serve as reminder to me of the costs associated with drug use. I’m certain that criminal charges and a tarnished political career are just the tip of the iceberg.
What are your thoughts?