DRUG TESTS A FORM OF UNREASONABLE SEARCH

I applaud those teachers who yesterday voted against the contract
offered by the state that tied a random drug-testing policy to pay-raises.

Those teachers with the fortitude to not compromise their dignity and
rights with their no-vote to this un-American policy have demonstrated
that we are the "home of the brave." It appears the rest have
forgotten that America is the "land of the free."

Law enforcement and other authorities are not allowed to randomly
search your pockets, your car or your home for anything. Probable
cause is required and, in most cases, approval from a judge in the
form of a search warrant. It's in the Bill of Rights (the Fourth
Amendment); its purpose, of course, is to protect Americans from
unfounded and unwarranted searches brought on by corrupt officials.

Would you favor allowing authorities to randomly show up at your house
and search it, or randomly stop you as you drive to search your car,
or randomly stop you as you walk to search your purse, wallet and
pockets? If not, why then would you approve of a random, more
intrusive search of your bodily fluids?

MEL MCKEAGUE

Ewa Beach