Comments on: School Board Approves Tobacco-Free Hiring Policy, Amends Student Drug Testing Plan

By: jesse shirley

jesse shirley — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 06:57:43 +0000

I believe this is absolutely a waste of money. Schools should have no concern what a student or faculty member does in his or her own house on his or her own time as long as they show up everyday, do their work, try hard, and continue to do so. We are sacrificing more of our tax paying money to give out free drug and tobacco tests so that we wont have to pay for a few peoples medical bills. How often have you heard of a teacher or faculty member having lung problems and leaving the school for a day or days at a time? I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen, but that we would be wasting more money by doing this. I agree that children are going to turn to harder substances just to get by this, and the more rules and restrictions that are set down over this, the worse kids are going to be. Humongous mistake yet again escambia.

By: Rationality

Rationality — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:24:04 +0000

I’m pretty sure these random drug tests are going to have a negative effect. Considering that all teens want is to get some sort of high, they’d be willing to do anything. Many Students may just participate in occasional use of not-so-serious drugs, such as marijuana and alcohol, but if those two things were to become difficult to get away with then it will cause students to do harder drugs that don’t stay in your system for as long and can’t be detected by a conventional drug test.

As for the no tobacco policy, I say that staff shouldn’t be allowed to smoke on campus, what someone does at home is there business.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:59:31 +0000

This is garbage. Complete waste of money. What purpose is there to Drug Test the students who have something going for them? Why not test the people who ride buses or AREN’T in extra circular activities? Those are the students who are more likely to do drugs. Also This drug test will only deter students from using THC-based drugs….This could backfire and students begin using more harmful drugs that are out of their system faster. Such as cocaine. WAY TO GO SCHOOL BOARD. You fail. Go back to school.

By: Annie Peterson

Annie Peterson — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:33:43 +0000

Congratulations to the Escambia County School Board for adopting a no-smoking hiring policy. Check out the new article at The Partnership at Drugfree.org titled “More Companies Lean on Employees to Stop Smoking to Cut Insurance Costs.” Not only are people who smoke less productive in the workplace, supported by a large and growing body of research, they and their families access the health care system much more often. Why would any business want to add to their health care costs for everyone to support people whose illnesses are largely preventable? Hiring people who don’t smoke is not only a good business strategy, it allows companies to keep offering their employees good benefit packages by getting a handle on soaring health care costs. There is no reason that those who don’t smoke should subsidize people who choose to continue to smoke, and it is a choice and one that may well interfere with moving forward in the job or career of your choice. Time to make a positive change and quit or…just keep complaining…your choice…1-800-QUIT NOW…

By: maria

maria — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:40:21 +0000

The law of unintended consequences? I just think this decision could become an unfortunate precedent, for many others before me have implied it: What will be next? I can see schools and playgrounds as entirely tobacco-free, but it seems unreasonable to request your newly hired ones not to smoke. Programs to help smokers would be great and should be encouraged, but this… I don’t know, but it sounds a bit radical and unconstitutional to me. Actually, if the board really cared, they should require that EVERYBODY, current and new employees, stop smoking.

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:42:42 +0000

The one thing I clearly see is I am trying to sell something that is already rubber stamped. I hope for positive results, only time will tell.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:29:44 +0000

REGARDING:
“Why is it correct to test DOD personnel, and incorrect to test high school students? I am curious as to why constitutional protections are afforded to some and denied to others?”

Department of Defense personnel have consented to be tested in order to work for the DOD. Any students who consent can also be tested.

You don’t have a right to work for DOD.
You do have a right to go to school in Florida.

Neither is forced to consent to drug tests.

Good or bad, I don’t see where this is all that hard to understand.

AND:
“What about the current employees who use tobacco?”

“The new tobacco-free policy will not allow anyone to be HIRED that has used tobacco products within the last six months. Along with the standard drug test currently administered, NEW EMPLOYEES will also be tested for tobacco use. The NEWLY HIRED employees will be required to remain tobacco free as a condition of employment.”

Existing users will not be fired if already hired, existing users will not be hired.

So existing employees are forbidden to use other drugs but can start smoking if don’t already (and are stupid), or can continue smoking if already addicted.

David for clarity

By: Mike P

Mike P — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:18:47 +0000

To David: Your reasoning ability is admirable. Thank you for sharing

To those of you that think this will lower health care costs, think about this:

Health care companies are corporate. They will do whatever they have to do to make an increase in profits every quarter. Forever. That is their whole focus.

Obviously at some point that scheme is going to backfire, but don’t think there is anything anyone can do to keep down healthcare costs without addressing corporate greed.

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:13:08 +0000

Why is it correct to test DOD personnel, and incorrect to test high school studends? I am curious as to why constitutional protections are affored to some and denied to others?

By: Sierra

Sierra — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:45:07 +0000

What’s next – testing for bacon & sausage in people that are fat??? Obesity costs the medical field tons of money due to heart problems, diabetes, etc. Should we have a pay scale on your insurance according to your weight?