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
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom