TEACHERS OK'D DRUG TESTS IN CONTRACT VOTE

In his letter of Dec. 3, Wayne Pearce disagrees with drug testing for
teachers. The questions he asks are just cannon fodder to deny the
importance of drug testing.

First of all, we do not want teachers advocating the experimentation
of drug use for any reason, even if a former U.S. president
experimented but did not inhale. Second, we do not want teachers who
disregard or play down the dangers of drug use because they do not
think it is dangerous. Third, we do not want teachers who cannot
continuously teach students about the dangers of drug use without any
reservation because they are users themselves. Finally, we do not want
teachers who cannot perform their duties at any time because of
illicit drug addiction. Drug use leads to absenteeism, poor
performance and illicit activities.

As a former substitute teacher in the public school system, I learned
that students and other teachers could tell you which teachers were
"on drugs."

Random drug testing will help to weed out the teachers who are using
illicit drugs.

The school environment should be drug free, beginning with the
teachers. The teachers voted in favor of drug testing when they
approved their last pay raise. It is time to hold their feet to the
fire.

Russel Noguchi,

Pearl City