DRUG SEARCHES ARE USEFUL WAY TO REDUCE CRIME IN HIGH SCHOOL

Re: High school drug raids are insult to students, JUNE 12.

Letter-writer Maggie Euteneier wishes desperately to find error in the
ways of local law enforcement and her school board's policy toward
providing a safe learning environment for all students.

Unfortunately for would-be marijuana smokers in Ottawa high schools,
her reasoning falls short of convincing.

School boards have implemented regulations to keep our educational
institutions safe. I am not sure who could interpret drug searches as
contrary to that goal, other than marijuana users. I would opt not to
have drug dealers roaming the halls of my school offering me an array
of illicit substances.

Ms. Euteneier alleges that certain classrooms were targeted and that
students were persecuted based on suspicions. Is this not what happens
in airports over North America and the world, and is it not an
efficient method of uncovering those who break the law?

I can recall being approached and sniffed by a drug dog countless
times when I was travelling abroad and I was not offended at all.

Searching does not represent a lack of respect: Police officers are
simply doing their job and upholding the law.

The school board has immense respect for its students and their
learning environment, so much so that it implemented this policy.
Under it everyone is innocent until proven guilty -- one is only
guilty when found to be so in a Canadian court.

Ms. Euteneier tries to convince the public that police are wasting
money by fighting small crimes. Regardless of the scale of crime, all
crimes should be fought, and drug possession in a school is no different.

The police have a right to pursue any infractions of the law,
regardless of whether the majority of the population breaks this law.
Marijuana possession is still a crime, and as long as it remains so,
police should pursue those who break that law, regardless of how many
people are guilty.

I do not understand how these investigations can be seen as unjust, as
I would be happy to see my school cleansed of criminal activity.

Zac Ashraf,

Ottawa