Drug Testing "new" teachers??

[luvmy3]

I don't agree with being high or drunk on the job personally, but what a person does with their time off is their business. Let the chips fall where they may for on-the-job performance.

Companies don't want certain types of people as their employees since they are representatives of that company. I see nothing wrong with using drug tests to determone whether or not they want to hire you. I see it as no different than running a credit check, or calling your references and past employers. All those things can influence their opinion of kind of employee you will be, just like a failing drug test can. So I do disagree, I think it is their business if they are going to be paying you to be responsible for their company, even if its a small part. For those who want to get high, they don't need to worry, nobody is telling them they can't get high outside of their work, they just are telling them that if you do, you are not the kind of employee they want to have.

 

[Arielle22]

My company tests every new hire. We also do background checks. To me drug screens and a background check are both are looking for illegal things. For the record, we decline to hire people due to background screens more than failed drug tests.

Candidates are sent post offer but pre-employment. I am amazed when I get a positive. We list in our ads that we are drug free. If you know you are applying at a drug free company then why risk it by doing drugs?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My senior year in HS, I discovered that one of my teachers was an alcoholic. I noticed her slipping something from one of her desk drawers one day and confronted her after the class (with 2 friends). We opened the drawer and pulled out a bottle of bourbon. We then checked her coffee cup and found that it was straight bourbon. She was terrified that we were going to turn her in, but we didn't.

We never had to take a test in that class again...

 

[turkeymama]

See my previous response to that. Just because Mrs. Smith was high on Saturday doesn't mean she's still high on that Monday field trip.

My doctor is in charge of our very lives, but I don't think he should have random drug testing either.

True, however, if a teacher is participating in illegal activities (i.e. recreational drug use), I would question his/her judgement and ability to make good, sound decisions when dealing with kids. I'm not naive enough to think it never happens and that many don't slip under the radar, though.

 

[DebbieB]

I work for an insurance company and all new hires are subject to a drug test, all the way down to the file clerk or mail room employee. Also subject to a credit check. If you're a deadbeat at home, they don't want you here.

 

[englishteacha]

My district doesn't drug test, but they do background checks and all Maine teachers need to be fingerprinted. A lot of people really were angry about the fingerprinting when it was instituted 8 or 9 years ago.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I get a drug test every three months whether I need it or not. Plus I can be tested at the request of my management at will. The big secret to passing your drug test? Don't do drugs. For Pete's sake, it's not rocket surgery.

OH TAG FAIRY! I love mixed metaphors.

I have worked in three separate school districts now. I have never been drug tested.

 

[Vixen]

My senior year in HS, I discovered that one of my teachers was an alcoholic. I noticed her slipping something from one of her desk drawers one day and confronted her after the class (with 2 friends). We opened the drawer and pulled out a bottle of bourbon. We then checked her coffee cup and found that it was straight bourbon. She was terrified that we were going to turn her in, but we didn't.

We never had to take a test in that class again...

Man why couldnt my HS teachers drink in class!!! i would have graduated with honors lol

 

[DVC Sadie]

I'm surprised that all teachers aren't required to mandatory drug testing.

 

[MushyMushy]

My district doesn't drug test, but they do background checks and all Maine teachers need to be fingerprinted. A lot of people really were angry about the fingerprinting when it was instituted 8 or 9 years ago.

We had to do fingerprinting even to do student teaching. Not sure why. Supposedly, we weren't allowed to be left alone with the students anyway.

So, if teachers should be required to be drug tested, shouldn't parents? Sunday school teachers? Preachers? (after all, some church people can cause a lot of harm to kids... been there, done that, wrote the book) Coaches? Where do you draw the line?

And lest people believe I light up every weekend or some other indulgence, I don't. I just have problems with "the man" interfering in people's personal lives. I don't want to be treated like a criminal when I'm just a boring middle aged housewife.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm surprised that all teachers aren't required to mandatory drug testing.

I'm not surprised, at least in the school district I went to as a student, and the city I live in now (have known many teachers here). Most of 'em would fail and the districts would have to close down until everyone was replaced.

Heck, one of the teachers in this town had to make a wrestling ring for her adult son's amateur career, and to do that had to cut down the crop growing in the backyard. Sure did make for the Halloween party of the year for my ex and his friends!

Yeah, I haven't had many good teachers in my life....


All that said...one of the BEST teachers in my high school was completely "out" and open about his marijuana use! He was much loved (and not just by the stoners), he taught very well, he was terrific. Or so I heard...I never took his class. Wish I had! Would add one to my good-teacher list, LOL.

 

[jaminmd]

what about surgeons, nurses, etc...........


tell that to the patients who died because of a surgeon who botched surgeries while under the influence of alcohol.


and I have to add, I agree about the intrusion into our lives, and the personal nature of giving a bodily fluid sample.
but..........when a worker is entrusted with the care of another human being, really they should be drug free. I can't imagine being high and doing the work I do.

 

[barkley]

We had to do fingerprinting even to do student teaching. Not sure why. Supposedly, we weren't allowed to be left alone with the students anyway.

So, if teachers should be required to be drug tested, shouldn't parents? Sunday school teachers? Preachers? (after all, some church people can cause a lot of harm to kids... been there, done that, wrote the book) Coaches? Where do you draw the line?

And lest people believe I light up every weekend or some other indulgence, I don't. I just have problems with "the man" interfering in people's personal lives. I don't want to be treated like a criminal when I'm just a boring middle aged housewife.

some organizations do require that coaches and parents (be it in paid or volunteer positions) submit to background checks as a condition to volunteering.

the school my ds goes to is affiliated with a large international church and their policy extends to volunteers at church and school (and in activities that are associated with the church/school but operate off-site). to volunteer you have to fill out an application and submit to a background check. it goes even further if you are going to participate as a driver for any church/school activites (smaller schools/churches have no busses they rely on parent volunteers with private cars)-dmv records.

every year when the registration packets are sent out to every student there's a new copy of the volunteer application form that has to be submitted by interested parents/family members by a certain date in order for the legal department of the church to process current background checks in time for the upcoming school year. does'nt matter if you've been a volunteer for years-new school year, new background check. same goes for anyone volunteering in any capacity with the church (and they are just as concerned with those that work with at risk adults as they are with kids).

i'm not aware of how they handle drug screening but i presume it may be a part of the process-back a few years ago when dd was attending another school affiliated with the same church one of her highschool classmates who volunteered in some of the younger kid activities had a run in with the law (outside the school/on her own time) that included use of an illegal drug-she was immediatly prohibited from any volunteer activities that involved interaction (supervised or not) with minors.