Pubdate: Wed, 14 Aug 2002
Source: Times-News, The (ID)
Copyright: 2002 Magic Valley Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.magicvalley.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/595
Author: Brad Ling
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

SCHOOL DISTRICT IS JUST HIDING FROM ITS PROBLEMS

Well, after reading the article about the Twin Falls School District not 
drug testing its employees, I had the vision pop into my head of the 
picture of the monkeys depicting "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

Guess what? Just because we don't see evil or hear evil or speak out 
against evil does not mean that it is not out there. I am troubled whenever 
someone gets confused in thinking that the choices one person makes affect 
only that person.

Mr. Donicht said, "There's no indication whatsoever that this goes beyond 
her personal use." Come on, we have known for years now that drug use 
affects the user and their ability to conform to standards that we set so 
high in our society such as the obeying the law and being honest in your 
dealings.

It has been said that drug testing is called an invasion of employees' 
private lives. I say this statement in itself says it is OK to take drugs, 
we just don't want to know about. However I believe that drug use invades 
my rights. The right to trust, the right to feel safe, the right to receive 
training and education and the right to others helping to shape our country 
and our children's future.

Grow up -- drugs are illegal. Why are they illegal? They are illegal to 
protect us from ourselves and to protect ourselves from those who would not 
be able to control themselves. Yet has drug use stopped? No. Will drug use 
stop? Only if we take an active role in stopping it and setting the right 
example to our youth.

We can look at drug testing as an invasion of privacy or we can look at it 
as this is the standard that we set for teaching our youth. If this 
standard can't be met, then find a career that has lower standards (which 
is not teaching our children).

I support drug testing. I am required to submit to drug testing for my 
employment and it has not hurt me yet. Most of the people I know work for 
companies that do drug testing. Not to hurt their employees but to help 
them. The Twin Falls School District is not above the standards that I set 
for my society, and as soon as we can end the demand for drugs, then we can 
put drug testing behind us.

BRAD LING

Twin Falls
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