Drug Testing Educators, The Time Has Come



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Those in the market for a new job have had to notice that many of the positions being advertised by employers require pre-employment drug testing.  It is becoming more of the norm these days than not.  Many store clerks, customer service agents, restaurant servers, hotel housekeepers and others are being asked to submit to a pre-employment drug test.  The one profession that doesn't seem to be active in drug testing is education.  Very few school districts across the nation have drug testing in place for their teachers.  Why is that? 

The growth of the drug-free workplace has increased significantly over the last five years in all fields.  Drug testing has been commonplace with some jobs and government mandated for others.  Although politicians argue all the time about governmental regulation, most would agree that professions such as airline pilots, train conductors and others charged with the health and safety of the public should be drug-free.  Why is it that the teaching professionals charged with our nation's greatest resource are free from the obligation of drug testing. 

Most school districts require drug testing for their transportation staff.  Why not their teaching staff?  Teachers are with our school children every day and are charged not only with their educational growth but also their personal safety.  Why are they excluded from drug testing?  One would think if society sees fit that housekeepers, wait staff and customer service representatives are tested, why would teachers educating our youth be excluded?

There are instances across the nation where teacher unions have resisted such a push for mandatory drug testing of professional teachers.  Just like the professional sports leagues, drug testing was resisted until the owners and fans made it impossible for it not be in place.   There also seems to be a natural bias that teachers have a greater level of education and as a result, have fewer drug abusers within their ranks.

School districts must make drug testing for their teachers a mandatory requirement in the pre-employment process.  Most schools proclaim their facilities and school grounds to be drug-free zones.  What's good and proper for the student population should be in practice for the faculty.  Most employers with drug testing programs also require random testing throughout an employee's employment.  This should be in place for teachers as well. 

I suspect the prevailing attitude among school boards and community leaders is that there is not a significant drug problem among their teaching staffs.  I would concur with that belief.  However, having a policy and program in place would provide a significant safeguard. 

The time has come for mandatory drug testing for all our professional educators.  We owe to our children.