DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DRUG TESTING FLAWED

Though I applaud John Henry's faith in the democratic system to effect
social change (Letters, July 20), I disagree with nearly all of his
views due to the foundations on which they rest.

Primarily, it pains me to read that Mr. Henry's only criticism of
Hawaii's education system is that "the HSTA refuses to allow drug
testing for the teachers and staff."

Drug tests are plagued with plenty of problems, from false positives
to intentional dilution to the use of adulterants and the fact that
detection periods for the most harmful drugs are the shortest.

What do you define as a drug? If a tobacco-addicted teacher goes home
and drinks himself to sleep every night, it's acceptable by your
standard; but if he smokes a joint, is he suddenly an evildoer and
enemy to civil society?

Given the state of public education in Hawaii, is that all you have to
say? Our students rank below average on every measure used to judge
education efficacy. It's no secret we need to seriously reform the
status quo.

Clearly your criticism stems from your religious beliefs, which quite
evidently form the bedrock of your entire letter. While, as stated
above, I respect the democratic process and the fact that if you
mobilize enough like-minded people you can enact your vision of
society, I would hope that you have the decency to realize that
America and Hawaii are pluralistic societies and therefore would not
want to impose a narrow-minded definition of theocratic morality on
groups of citizens who feel differently.

I think you should first consider the diversity of groups that
disagree with you before you storm the Bastille in the name of your
god.

Harrison G. Matthews

Makawao