Pubdate: Tue, 09 Apr 2002
Source: Courier, The (LA)
Copyright: 2002 Houma Today
Contact:  http://www.houmatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1477
Author: Lacie J. Chaisson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

TIME TO START DRUG-TESTING THE TEACHERS

In light of recent events with the second Terrebonne Parish School Board 
teacher being arrested for substance abuse and misconduct, it is time to 
consider drug-testing teachers.

Teachers are having to teach their students that drugs are harmful, yet 
some are using these harmful substances themselves. The most recent policy 
states that bus drivers and students in extra-curricular activities must be 
drug-tested, yet the teachers, who have the most impact on students, aren't.

What happened to the background checks on all new teachers? Are we that 
desperate for teachers that the School Board will just hire anyone? Can we 
trust that those conducting the interviews are doing it well enough?

The only way to know that the teachers teaching our students aren't on 
drugs is to drug test them.

Lacie J. Chaisson, Houma
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MAP posted-by: Jackl