ACLU Asks Kanawha County to Carefully Consider New Drug Testing Policy
ACLU Asks Kanawha County to Carefully Consider New Drug Testing Policy Save Email Print
Posted: 5:38 PM Dec 4, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:41 AM Dec 5, 2008
 Reporter: Kallie Cart
Email Address: kallie.cart@wsaz.com
21 comments
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union asked Kanawha County Commissioners to carefully consider expanding their random drug testing policy Thursday night.

The county's current policy randomly drug tests employees of Metro 911 and the sheriff's department among others. The Commissioners voted unanimously to have their attorney look into expanding the policy to include more county employees. A representative with the ACLU told the commissioners that litigation could be costly and reminded them of the current lawsuit filed against Kanawha County Schools.

The Kanawha County Board of Education recently voted in favor of random drug testing. A local teacher's union has sued to stop it.

The Commissioners also unanimously voted to support the school board's random drug testing policy.

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Posted by: BillB on Dec 6, 2008 at 05:18 PM
To the one people who think drug testing is wrong: I drive an eightteen wheeler and I am subjected to ramdon drug test at any time in any state. It don't bother me and I am glad they test truck drivers. But are you telling me they are taking my freedom? If they are that is ok with me.
Posted by: You asked for it on Dec 6, 2008 at 12:03 PM
To all teachers and county workers you did not raise this much of a fuss when testing kids was brought up, matter of fact most of u backed it claiming safety reasons for yourselves from drug crazed students well now that the shoe is on the other foot u want to cry foul well ur rights are no more impertant than that of our childrens so get over it if u dont like it then quit.Seee you should have seen the writing on the wall but in ur rush to feel superior to students u over looked the evident.So u have a few options pee in the cup,dont pee in the cup and suffer the outcome,or fight to outlaw drug testing for anyone,or fight to legalize drugs then there will be no call for testing so pick the one u like and move on but just remeber a positive test may lead to a posession charge then you wont be able to teach at all just like a posession charge denies our kids any opportunity of financial aid to extend their education see it says all men created equal not teachers exempt
Posted by: Randy on Dec 5, 2008 at 02:57 PM
This is a waste of money and a severe invasion of privacy.
Posted by: Sarah on Dec 5, 2008 at 11:37 AM
To Rob... In my workplace, we are drug tested at random. Do I have a problem with this. NO. I have nothing to hide. Would you want police or ems coming to your need stoned? NO. I don't want someone teaching my child stoned either.
Posted by: Eli on Dec 5, 2008 at 11:11 AM
One of the reasons this country was founded was to keep bueracracy out of your home and private life. I don't want anyone telling me how to live my life. If the janitor at the school smokes weed at home but does a great job cleaning at work, then you should leave him alone. If someone has an apparent problem with drugs or alchohol, then deal with that. STAY OUT OF OTHER PEOPLES BUSINESS!!!
Posted by: steven on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:57 AM
People always come up with the comment "if you have nothing to hide then whats the big deal?" The big deal comes down to privacy and freedom. People should not be analyzing other peoples blood and urine to see what their out of work lifestyle is. I'm glad the ACLU is getting involved in this. It is a civil rights issue. The religious fanatics are basically trying to turn our free country into a religious state. Im a huge believer in God, but im also a huge believer in freedom. Do yourselves a favor and mind your own business when it comes to other peoples private lives, and stop trying to go thru their urine! Btw, drug testing kids in school is a very bad idea also. What kind of image does this give to children in America? It certainly doesnt give the impression of freedom. We are headed in the wrong direction. Heres to hoping for a resurgence in civil rights the next four years.
Posted by: Teacher from Kentucky on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:49 AM
To Rob, If you are not doing anything wrong then you should not care to be drug tested, as a parent and grandparent, I don't want someone who is taking drugs whether they are illegal or if they are doing more than they are should be taking, teaching my child or grandchild. You shouldn't either
Posted by: A concerned parent on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:35 AM
What are teachers trying to hide?? If a child drives to school or play sports they are subject to drug testing. Kanawha County teachers should be ashamed of themselves. Instead of protesting drug testing they should be setting an example for their students. If you are a teacher and taking illegal drugs, you have no business teaching our children. Take the test and get get over it.
Posted by: Teacher on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Personally, I am offended by all of this. I have given 29 years of my life to the school system and to children. What else will be next? How often do we go to church? What kind of house do we own? What kind of vehicle do we drive? Lets drug test ALL parents, too while we are at it.
Posted by: What A Waste on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:21 AM
To those who have posted a complaint with "rules". We start out in this life as a toddler having rules and the older you get the more you will have. Get over it!!! This is a complete waste of taxpayers money for a bunch of whining teachers. If you have no issues then pee in a cup!!! why should you be any different than anyone else? Get off your high horses and quit being a waste of taxpayers money!!!!!!
Posted by: beth on Dec 5, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Rob, if there is actually ever a time when there is some policy put out there that really would harm or infringe on someone's privacy then I'm sure people would stand up against it. But why make a statement now at the expense of these kids? Do the drug testing now...because let's face it, it is needed, and then when something else comes up, fight it at that time. And also, if the kids can be random drug tested, why can't the teachers? I too believe it is discrimination at it's worse. It says ok kids, we own you now do as we say only for a few year, but then when you are an adult, cry to the ACLU so you don't have to be held accountable for anything. ACLU really should just say what they are,ALL COWARDS LIKE US.
Posted by: Union Rep on Dec 5, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Drug Testing is very important when it comes to safety and security. It can be handled fairly but it is a mandatory subject of bargaining for Unions according to Federal Labor Law. That is probably why the Teachers Union is protesting. They want to set some rules and make sure their is someone (MRO) neutral looking into the positive tests.
Posted by: jeff on Dec 5, 2008 at 08:25 AM
I took random drug tests im the military for 22 years. I never once had a problem because I felt it kept me safe from working alongside someone who was impaired. I moved back in 92 and all I've heard from teachers is complaining year after year. If it's not their pay, it's drug testing. Kanawha County has to have the worst school system in the country.
Posted by: WhatIf on Dec 5, 2008 at 07:46 AM
If they sue and win does that mean the end to all drug testing? If a teacher can't be drug tested then why should anyone be tested? If my child is subject to drug testing because he plays football then the teachers should be also. If not, that is discrimination and I guess I will have to sue.
Posted by: Rob on Dec 5, 2008 at 07:02 AM
To "a teacher in Kentucky". If you have nothing to hide what's the big deal? Don't you understand? especially a teacher like you should see why people are against drug screenings. Today it's drug screens tomorrow it's something else. The reasons people accept these idiotic rules they put on us is because of people like you. When you make comments like " if you have nothing to hide why let it bother you". I agree with you, however they keep making rules that will one day affect or "bother" you. You than will be crying foul and the people around you who don't care will say the same thing as you have.
Posted by: Ryan on Dec 5, 2008 at 06:26 AM
How about banning the ACLU from our schools? Now there is a thought.
Posted by: A teacher in Kentucky on Dec 5, 2008 at 05:53 AM
I agree. If you have nothing to hide, why let it bother you to be drug tested? If you have medical that a doctor has written for you and you are taking it the right way, no one can do anything about it. Get real people!!!!
Posted by: Treva on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:18 PM
I don't understand the hoopla in wanting to stop the random drug testing in the school system. The union is apparently against the drug testing. There are many jobs in today's market that require random drug testing of its employees. The school system shouldn't be any different. I say test them all from the janitor to the principal on a regular basis. They are, after all, in place of the parent during the day. They should be responsible and if they are under the influence, their job should be in jeopardy, just like any other employee anywhere else.
Posted by: Becky on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Why do these teacher think that they are any different than any of our kids. You can radomly test are kids and search the personal item, cars etc. Do you all have something to hide is the reason that you don't want the drug testing. You should be setting an example. And letting them know that we mean business on getting drugs out of our schools and away from our children. WHAT ARE U HIDING???????
Posted by: beth on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:15 PM
If you have nothing to hide then there should be no problem with complying to drug testing policies. Grow up people and quit making everything difficult!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Raven on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Threats of a law suit. We will Sue We Will Sue.Only in WV- Just pee in the cup and get on with it. If you cant pass the test there are several thousand law obiding job seekers that will fill your posistion
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