Pubdate: Sat, 05 Jul 2008 Source: Maui News, The (HI) Copyright: 2008 The Maui News Contact: http://www.mauinews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259 Author: Andrew Bayron ASSUME ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE ON DRUGS I'm no big fan of our governor, but she is right on with her frustration with the Hawaii State Teachers Association union blatantly avoiding drug testing! This is after agreeing to drug testing via their hefty pay raise contract. In the union's defense, Board of Education Chairwoman Donna Ikeda said: "There are many more costs to consider than just the price of the drug test. This is very complicated. As an example: Do we pay for a teacher who goes on leave for testing positive? Do we pay for rehabilitation? Who pays for rehab?" Ridiculous! Why is it possible for mom-and-pop businesses to big union hotels such as the Hyatt to have a drug policy in place since 2000 for their valets, and our state teachers can't get it together? After one too many arrest of teachers using and selling drugs at the same time teaching our keiki throughout our state this is horrific! Are we to assume all teachers in the public school system including their union representatives are dealers and drug addicts? Governor, sign me up. How can I help as a concerned citizen? Andrew Bayron Wailuku - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart