Pubdate: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI) Copyright: 2008 The Honolulu Advertiser, Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/uXtrz8Lm Website: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195 Author: Gary Stark, Honolulu ZIPPY'S CAN DRUG-TEST, WHY CAN'T HSTA? The HSTA says it can't find a constitutionally acceptable means to implement random drug testing for Hawai'i's teachers. Yet every Zippy's restaurant proudly displays signs stating their employees are drug free and subject to drug testing. So we should feel comfortable knowing that the person cooking our chili is not under the influence of an illegal drug, while the same cannot be said of the teacher responsible for the education of our most cherished national asset, our children? We all know about Hawai'i's drug problem, so it's important to ensure this problem doesn't invade our critical institutions, like the education department. Didn't the HSTA sign a contract requiring random drug testing and accepting pay increases? If they won't comply with testing, why shouldn't the pay raises be rescinded? Contracts mean you're legally bound to oblige by the agreement. Why is it so hard for the HSTA to find a legally acceptable way to do the drug testing when there are thousands of groups around the nation who already submit to random drug testing (e.g., the military and certain city, state and federal workers, commercial drivers, private corporations, etc.)? Zippy's has found a way to conduct random drug tests, considers it important enough to their business and has implemented it - but the HSTA is still having problems. Hmmm - maybe the HSTA leadership should be replaced by obviously more intelligent management personnel from the restaurant chain. Gary Stark Honolulu - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin