HSTA CONTRACT

Drug-Testing Program About Protecting Keiki

This is in response to Coleen Ashworth's letter (May 2) regarding
random drug testing of teachers and what she calls a "violation of
the Constitution."

Her letter is proof of the constitutionality of the policy. The
Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable search. What is
unreasonable about random drug testing for teachers and other
employees with access to our children? Why wouldn't she support a
policy that protects our children? If the current system is
sufficient, as suggested in her letter, then we would see more
disciplinary actions from the Department of Education, not the
Honolulu Police Department.

I have worked for several large corporations in Hawai'i that have
random drug testing. If teachers are looking for sympathy to avoid
testing, please look somewhere else. Teachers serve the general
population and are paid by our tax dollars.

The lesson Ms. Ashworth should teach her children is that everyone is
accountable for their own actions and there should be zero tolerance
for drug use.

If those teachers who oppose drug testing had played a more active
role in reporting their peers, this provision might not have been necessary.

Bravo, Gov. Linda Lingle, for putting the focus where it should be --
protecting our keiki.

Fred Thomas

Kapolei