Pubdate: Sat, 05 May 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: Fred Thomas Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n549/a09.html?26797 HSTA CONTRACT Drug-Testing Program About Protecting Keiki This is in response to Coleen Ashworth's letter (May 2) regarding random drug testing of teachers and what she calls a "violation of the Constitution." Her letter is proof of the constitutionality of the policy. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable search. What is unreasonable about random drug testing for teachers and other employees with access to our children? Why wouldn't she support a policy that protects our children? If the current system is sufficient, as suggested in her letter, then we would see more disciplinary actions from the Department of Education, not the Honolulu Police Department. I have worked for several large corporations in Hawai'i that have random drug testing. If teachers are looking for sympathy to avoid testing, please look somewhere else. Teachers serve the general population and are paid by our tax dollars. The lesson Ms. Ashworth should teach her children is that everyone is accountable for their own actions and there should be zero tolerance for drug use. If those teachers who oppose drug testing had played a more active role in reporting their peers, this provision might not have been necessary. Bravo, Gov. Linda Lingle, for putting the focus where it should be -- protecting our keiki. Fred Thomas Kapolei - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom