Pubdate: Tue, 30 Sep 2014
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2014 The Washington Times, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: Kevin Palmer
Page: B2

MAKE DRUG TESTING MANDATORY IN SCHOOLS

The Richmond County School System (RCSS) in Augusta, Ga., is guided 
by a mission statement and seven-belief statement, all of which are 
listed on its website. However, there is an eighth, unwritten belief 
statement that guides its hiring practice: The RCSS believes drug 
users have an equal opportunity for employment.

Job applicants to the county school system are not required to submit 
to drug tests as a condition of employment. Applicants are only 
required to submit to a federal criminal history check 
(fingerprinting) and a Georgia criminal history background check. 
Because of this egregious practice, students are being entrusted and 
exposed to employees who are potentially under the influence of 
marijuana, cocaine, heroin and a host of other mindaltering 
substances. The RCSS leadership has been derelict. Moreover, they 
have been hypocritical in their relationship with the student body.

Richmond County students are expected to adhere to a formal code of 
conduct that prohibits narcotics, drugs and controlled substances. 
Therefore, it is wrong for any faculty or staff member to be under 
the influence of such substances in the performance of duty.

Drug testing for all applicants must be a condition of employment. As 
the new Richmond County School superintendent, Angela Pringle must 
not follow the path of her negligent predecessors. She must not 
perpetuate the see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil drug culture 
that exist in the RCSS. Drug use must not be tolerated in the 
Richmond County School System.

KEVIN PALMER Martinez, Ga.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom