High court sticks with drug ruling

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Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court stands by its decision that hair analysis is a reliable method of testing for drug use.

The court, without comment, Tuesday rejected the petition by Cynthia Holmes, who was fired from her job as a slot hostess at the San Remo hotel-casino after her hair test in 1993 turned up positive.

In April, the Supreme Court reversed the decision of former District Judge Gerard Bongiovanni, who held that "hair drug screens, standing alone, are scientifically unreliable at this time ..."

When Holmes was fired, she applied for unemployment benefits but was denied. She then sued and won a decision from Judge Bongiovanni, who was overturned by the Supreme Court.

During the case, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the MGM Grand also filed briefs supporting random drug testing by hair analysis.