GET PAST RHETORIC OF DRUG-TEST PROGRAM

Teachers have voted to accept a contract that, in addition to
providing a healthy pay raise, requires that members agree to random
drug testing.

The majority made a difficult choice and, although some opponents may
feel wounded by the reality of the vote, it's up to the Hawai'i State
Teachers Association leadership to get past that.

That's why it was distressing to hear HSTA President Roger Takabayashi
addressing listeners of a radio broadcast with more rhetoric about the
perceived "slap in the face" of the drug-testing program.

"It's hard for a social studies teacher to teach about civics, our
Constitution or how our country was formed where people stood up for
their rights, and at the same time have their rights taken away," he
said.

Never mind that, specifically regarding random drug testing, the
Supreme Court ruled this does not violate the Fourth Amendment's
guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure. When it comes to
providing a safe environment for children, especially in a climate of
concern over drug arrests that involved teachers, a thoughtfully
designed drug-testing program is reasonable.

So the time for posturing has passed, giving way to the need for
thoughtful design work to begin.

Takabayashi said HSTA is particularly concerned about the handling of
"false positive" test results and is examining opinions on the issue
submitted when a bill supporting random drug testing of teachers was
debated in the Legislature. Others, including teachers who have
submitted to drug testing because outside jobs required it, have
useful perspectives to share.

That's a good start. Teachers who were unable to weigh in on the issue
before should have that chance now. The Department of Education will
meet with HSTA to discuss protocols for the testing before the program
is rolled out at the end of June 2008. As groundwork for those
meetings, the members need a chance to weigh in on making the tests
minimally invasive.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association units covering other
school employees should anticipate that this concession might
eventually apply to administration and staff. If the goal is to create
drug-free campuses, the screening should extend beyond the teachers'
ranks.

Random drug testing is a reality that has come to an increasing number
of workplaces here. The focus must be on making it work, for the
benefit of the kids.