Pubdate: Fri, 25 Aug 2000
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 2000 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact:  (LTEs from GA & SC only)
Address: 725 Broad Street, Augusta, GA 30901
Website: http://www.augustachronicle.com/
Author: Chasiti Kirkland

DRUG TEST PROPOSAL DRAWS IRE

An Upstate senator wants teachers randomly tested for drugs, but his 
intention might cause contention when the Legislature reconvenes.

Sen. Mike Fair of Greenville says "testing for illicit drugs is a 
no-brainer," but some of his colleagues say Mr. Fair has lost his mind.

"Why should I want teachers tested?" said Rep. Robert S."Skipper" Perry, 
R-Aiken. "If we did that, we might as well test every state employee. 
Nobody has called me to complain, and that tells me the issue must not be 
an issue at all."

As it stands now, bus drivers are the only public school employees who are 
tested for illegal drugs.

Mr. Fair's plan also has struck a nerve with the American Civil Liberties 
Union. The organization believes drug testing is a blatant invasion of 
employee privacy, said LaVerne Neal, executive director of the South 
Carolina branch of the ACLU. Not only does the test make known a person's 
previous or current drug use, but it also reveals health problems or a 
pregnancy, she said. The only exception to the ACLU's rule is when someone 
appears to be under the influence on the job and is a danger to others.

Diane Giddings, a candidate for Aiken County's Board of Education, said 
Friday that testing teachers for drug use isn't a bad idea, especially 
since a Richmond County teacher, Deborah Foley, was charged last week with 
manufacturing and possessing marijuana. Deputies seized from her home $616 
in cash, marijuana plants and 30 Ecstasy pills.

"You would hope that our teachers know what's right and what's wrong," Ms. 
Giddings said. "But there are some out there who probably don't."

Also last week, a former Timmonsville, S.C., police lieutenant, who once 
led the department's anti-drug program for schoolchildren, was sentenced to 
nearly 14 years behind bars for providing protection for interstate 
trafficking of illegal drugs.

Mr. Fair also wants to tighten the state law requiring criminal background 
checks on public employees. Teachers, principals and superintendents are 
checked for a criminal record in a national database when they become state 
certified. But school districts can check other employees, including 
teachers' aides and custodians, said Jim Foster, a spokesman for the South 
Carolina Department of Education.

In Aiken County, all first-time employees are checked.

"Some glaring inequities exist right now, and some are inexcusable," Mr. 
Fair said. "We need to reach beyond the state's borders when we conduct 
background checks on public employees."

Mr. Fair says he will pen both pieces of legislation when lawmakers return 
to the Statehouse in January. 
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