Teachers have voted to accept a contract that, in addition to providing a healthy pay raise, requires that members agree to random drug testing.

The majority made a difficult choice and, although some opponents may feel wounded by the reality of the vote, it's up to the Hawai'i State Teachers Association leadership to get past that.

That's why it was distressing to hear HSTA President Roger Takabayashi addressing listeners of a radio broadcast with more rhetoric about the perceived "slap in the face" of the drug-testing program.

"It's hard for a social studies teacher to teach about civics, our Constitution or how our country was formed where people stood up for their rights, and at the same time have their rights taken away," he said.

Never mind that, specifically regarding random drug testing, the Supreme Court ruled this does not violate the Fourth Amendment's guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure. When it comes to providing a safe environment for children, especially in a climate of concern over drug arrests that involved teachers, a thoughtfully designed drug-testing program is reasonable.

So the time for posturing has passed, giving way to the need for thoughtful design work to begin.

Takabayashi said HSTA is particularly concerned about the handling of "false positive" test results and is examining opinions on the issue submitted when a bill supporting random drug testing of teachers was debated in the Legislature. Others, including teachers who have submitted to drug testing because outside jobs required it, have useful perspectives to share.

That's a good start. Teachers who were unable to weigh in on the issue before should have that chance now. The Department of Education will meet with HSTA to discuss protocols for the testing before the program is rolled out at the end of June 2008. As groundwork for those meetings, the members need a chance to weigh in on making the tests minimally invasive.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association units covering other school employees should anticipate that this concession might eventually apply to administration and staff. If the goal is to create drug-free campuses, the screening should extend beyond the teachers' ranks.

Random drug testing is a reality that has come to an increasing number of workplaces here. The focus must be on making it work, for the benefit of the kids.