Pubdate: Sun, 09 Dec 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: Russel Noguchi Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1407/a02.html?103776 TEACHERS OK'D DRUG TESTS IN CONTRACT VOTE In his letter of Dec. 3, Wayne Pearce disagrees with drug testing for teachers. The questions he asks are just cannon fodder to deny the importance of drug testing. First of all, we do not want teachers advocating the experimentation of drug use for any reason, even if a former U.S. president experimented but did not inhale. Second, we do not want teachers who disregard or play down the dangers of drug use because they do not think it is dangerous. Third, we do not want teachers who cannot continuously teach students about the dangers of drug use without any reservation because they are users themselves. Finally, we do not want teachers who cannot perform their duties at any time because of illicit drug addiction. Drug use leads to absenteeism, poor performance and illicit activities. As a former substitute teacher in the public school system, I learned that students and other teachers could tell you which teachers were "on drugs." Random drug testing will help to weed out the teachers who are using illicit drugs. The school environment should be drug free, beginning with the teachers. The teachers voted in favor of drug testing when they approved their last pay raise. It is time to hold their feet to the fire. Russel Noguchi, Pearl City - --- MAP posted-by: Derek