Subj: Hunt on for the stoned civil servant

Date: Feb 22, 1998

Source: Independent on Sunday

Hunt on for the stoned civil servant

NO WONDER the economy is on a high, WRITES PAUL
ROUTLEDGE. They are smoking pot at the Treasury.

The remains of a cannabis cigarette have been found in an
ashtray in the first-floor "sin bin" where civil servants go if they
want to smoke.

The discovery was made 10 days ago after a woman official
sniffed pot in the air. She traced the smell to a
recently-smoked joint, and informed told her superiors.

Personnel chiefs at the ministry, which is known as "Goggs" -
Government Offices Great George Street - immediately
launched a search, but have so far failed to find the pothead.

The incident has caused hilarity among Treasury civil
servants, who are going round joking "We're only here for the
crack." However, security staff are not amused. The "sin bin"
is only one floor below the office suite of Keith Hellawell, the
Government's new "drugs tsar". He has already complained
about lax security.

Civil servants are forbidden to take drugs on to government
premises, and if caught they would face certain disciplinary
action and perhaps even prosecution. The staff have closed
ranks and inquiries have got nowhere.

The smokers' room is supposed to be used only by
government employees, but much of the routine work such as
internal post has now gone out to agency and an outsider
could be responsible.