Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Contact: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195 Author: Jo Anne Cusmano DRUG TESTING Safety More Important Than Privacy Rights I'm having a hard time understanding the arrogance of the teachers of this state. Why would they think they should be exempt from drug testing? Everyone who works with vulnerable communities should be drug tested, which covers a lot of public workers. I'm employed in the private sector and work for an employer that serves the developmentally challenged community. We have mandatory random drug testing, and I have no problem with that. It says that my employers care enough about the consumers they serve to make sure their environment is safe and that they employ individuals who don't put them in harm's way. Wake up, teachers! If you want to work with a vulnerable community, namely our children, invest your time in giving the kids of this state the education they deserve and stop worrying about your right to privacy. Drug testing should be a permanent part of your employment. If it catches one offender, it's worth the cost and invasion of your privacy. Your privacy shouldn't take precedence over the safety of the kids. If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about. Jo Anne Cusmano Pearl City - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom