Pubdate: Mon, 03 Dec 2007
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1399/a05.html
Author: Wayne Pearce

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS LACKING

In a recent letter to the editor regarding drug testing for teachers,
it was mentioned how the advocacy of that testing was an indication of
how important we the people consider the teaching position.

I disagree. "We the people" do not consider teaching to be that
important. Otherwise, teachers would not be leaving the profession in
droves to find jobs that they can support a family with.

Unfortunately, only another teacher can really relate to what it's
like to be a teacher, many of whom have to deal with serious crisis
and behavior management on a daily basis and still actually teach a
subject.

As for drug testing, has anyone ever heard of any student being harmed
because of a teacher on drugs? And what drugs are we talking about?
Antidepressants? Antibiotics? Alcohol? If any drug is a threat to a
profession, it would certainly be alcohol. But "We the people" seem to
be OK with that drug.

Wayne Pearce

Show Low, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake