Teacher possibly on drugs?

I'd request a new teacher. You can't "still have those images" and possibly ruin this person's career for something that used to be. If it bothers you, change. That's not fair.

I know our school does drug testing, and maybe she has cleaned up her act, but I think it would be in the best interest of your kiddo to switch classes, you don't need to go in to her past, just tell them you all used to be friends and it ended poorly, and you feel it would be best for your child to have another teacher,

Now that being said,, please don't go telling other parents about what she 'used" to do,, she could have had problems and overcome them, so this isn't anyone elses business.

5 years is a long time and what we did when we were young is not what we would do now. If you are that uncomfortable request a change.

BTW

Well I am guessing she got her act together,, have you thought about meeting her for coffee and expressing your concern? I am kind of up front so I would just say Mary, I know you had a drug problem in the past, how are you doing now? I would also allieviate her fear that you will gossip about it,, maybe it would help you and her,,
Welcome to Cafe Mom,, I am wondering how you found answers? Just randomly polling, it seems that now that answers is so hidden, I don't think I would have been able to find it. LOL

OMG,don't be going to her superiors and saying this stuff. Imagine getting her fired for no reason at all.
If you're concerned,bring this issue up to her ALONE

What excuse are you going to use for wanting a new teacher? You can't say because she was a drug addict the last time I saw her

the past is the past, you ran with her so if you go talking about it your going to look silly. You can request a new teacher but in the end, she may end up being the best teacher your child could ever have. People change, you did after all - when you stopped hanging around her. Should we feel you have no business being around kids because you were her friend when she did this stuff?

If she was still using meth, after 5 years, she would not be able to concentrate and focus on working. She would be a pock marked tweaker and everyone would know simply by looking at her. We all have the potential to change; at any point in our life: there is no magic age for that.

Personally I'd leave it alone unless and until you have a clear indication that she is having a problem teaching the class. I do hope you intend to keep all this past personal knowledge of her to yourself. Nothing can destroy a persons reputation faster than gossip.  Remember we've all done things we wouldn't want the world to know about.

meooma is right - if she were still using, it would be very obvious to everyone. There's no way she'd be teaching. Look up pics of meth addicts, especially ones that show you before and after. Even a few months can make a major difference in how they look.

My advice is this: If you really cannot get past the image you have of her from the past, request a new teacher. When they ask why, simply say "We knew each other at another time, things ended badly, and I want to ensure that no one on either side feels that they're being unfairly treated, or that my child suffers because she and I can't communicate well."

If you think you can get past it, give her a chance. If it seems like it's not working, then request a new teacher.

Either way, ,do not tell anyone about her past. She has very likely overcome it, and you don't want to be the person responsible for destroying her life after she got it back together.