Issue – Drug Testing for Teachers

Senator Norman Sakamoto
October 27, 2006

On October 10, a public school teacher was arrested for allegedly selling nearly a pound of "ice" (crystal methamphetamine) while at school.  Shortly afterwards, the Department of Education acknowledged that it does not require its teachers to undergo drug testing.

"Teacher in 'ice' bust never had a drug test," Honolulu Advertiser

A few days later in a Honolulu Advertiser article, Senator Norman Sakamoto noted that the problem of drug abuse cuts across the spectrum of society.  Testing teachers for drugs would be one means of keeping our schools drug free.  In the 2007 legislative session, he plans to introduce a bill that would require: (1) random testing for current teachers and (2) mandatory testing for new teachers. 

"Teacher drug testing considered after arrest," Honolulu Advertiser