Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC) Copyright: 2007 Asheville Citizen-Times Contact: http://www.citizen-times.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863 Author: Steve Odom Note: Steve Odom is a 1982 graduate of Robbinsville High School and former Graham County sheriff. He lives in Robbinsville. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) GRAHAM SCHOOL BOARD IS TO BE COMMENDED FOR ITS TOUGH ANTI-DRUG STAND This past December, the Graham County School Board passed a landmark reform package aimed at ensuring a safe, alcohol- and drug-free environment for the students and employees of the school system. First, it declared all school employees as being in safety-sensitive positions. Next, it instituted a random drug- and alcohol-testing program for all employees holding these safety-sensitive positions. My initial thoughts when I heard of the policy were, "What took you so long, and hallelujah!" I have always had the utmost respect for anyone who chooses to be a teacher. In my opinion, it has to be one of the most stressful careers that anyone could choose, given the huge responsibility. I honestly believe that 99 percent of the teachers in the Graham County School System are caring and decent individuals with high moral and ethical standards, who have only the very best intentions for the children. They take pride in how they do their job and they adhere to a strict code of professional conduct every second of the day, whether at work or not. We are truly blessed to have such a dedicated group of professionals in our schools. But as with any profession, it's the 1 percent that is always troubling: those who choose to act unprofessionally and without due regard for the safety and well-being of others, especially our young people. A few bad apples When I was in high school in the late 1970s and early 1980s, we, too, had a handful of teachers who thought they were still in college. They taught school during the day and partied hard at night. I know that the thought just crossed some minds, "what someone does after work, at their own home, is their busines." I'll agree to a certain point, except that in the instances I just described to you, students were almost always invited to and attended these parties. Some young boys and girls thought that partying with the teachers was a really cool thing to do. It was later in life, after I finally got some sense, that I realized just how damaging this was. I can point out individuals to you today who I went to school with who have yet to recover from the effects of partying with a handful of teachers more than 25 years ago. Their alcoholism and drug addictions are directly related to their actions. Scourge of meth I know the same is happening today, and anyone who doesn't believe that has their head in the sand. The big difference today is it's not just beer or marijuana. There's a killer drug out there called methamphetamine that is thousands of times more addictive. The battle to save our kids cannot stop at the schoolhouse door or at the door of any government agency, for that matter. Part of setting an example is being an example. As the owner of a small trucking company, my drivers are required by federal law to be randomly tested for drugs and alcohol. Even though that doesn't apply to me, being in an administrative position, I voluntarily submit my name with theirs to be picked randomly. To set an example, I want to demonstrate to them that I believe in and support a drug-free work environment. I don't like the inconvenience of taking random drug or alcohol tests either, but I'd do it every day for the rest of my life if I thought it would help save one child. I believe that anyone who has the physical custody of a child or a group of children is in a "safety-sensitive position," and that the school board acted appropriately in designating them as such. I agree totally with the actions of the four school board members who instituted this policy. I encourage them to not be discouraged with the current legal action brought against the board by the North Carolina Educators Association on behalf of one Graham County teacher. Thank you for standing your ground and working to create a safer environment for our children. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake