HUGHES: DEBATE OVER SCHOOL SEARCHES IGNORES CAUSE OF YOUTH DRUG USE

Recent drug sweeps in local schools seem to have created quite a
controversy. Opinions, for and against the practice, have been expressed in
letters, conversations and meetings, public and private.

It reminds me of a conversation in Sunday school not long ago when we were
discussing the divorce rate in America. We discussed a multitude of
probable causes of divorce and things that might have some kind of positive
effect on reducing this tragic situation.

I suggested that, instead of looking at the symptoms of the disease, we
consider the root cause of divorce -- which I believe to be marriage. Of
course, some immediately thought that I was promoting the idea of doing
away with marriage thereby eradicating the need for divorce.

My contention, however, was to revisit the institution of marriage --
stressing its seriousness and importance, and increasing counseling for
people intent upon making the plunge. We need to make a concerted effort to
ensure that when marriage occurs it is based upon love, long-term
commitment and the idea that the family unit is the most important single
component of civilized life.

I have the same sort of thoughts concerning drug searches in our schools. I
have read and heard the arguments, pro and con, safety vs. constitutional
rights, maintaining an environment conducive to learning as opposed to
chaos, and I can see valuable points on both sides.

But my thoughts run deeper. Why are we having these searches in the first
place? Could it be we are so involved in arguments over the symptoms that
we are ignoring the actual root causes of the disease? The reason we have
drug searches in our schools is because we have drugs in our schools. The
reason we have drugs in our schools is because some students take drugs to
school. Can anyone argue with this reasoning? I know it is simplistic, but
isn't it true?

Now comes the question we seem to be ignoring: Why do some kids take drugs?
Why do they take them to school? I believe if we spent one-tenth the amount
of time struggling with these issues, the questions concerning searches
would become extinct.

Times have changed! I have heard so many excuses for inaction and many
appear to have merit. Times have changed, but people haven't changed. As
Americans, we have access to so much that can make our lives better. We
also are exposed to many things that tempt us and entice us and cause us to
test our decision-making skills to the umpteenth degree.

But I contend that we haven't changed. Just as the inhabitants of the
Garden of Eden, we still have decisions to make, and we must be willing to
accept the results of those decisions, good or bad. Our problem may very
well be that we are not willing to make the best decisions, and then, when
our chickens come home to roost, we scream out for our government to solve
the problems created by our unwillingness to accept responsibility for our
actions or inactions.

If we fail to teach our children respect for authority, respect for others
and respect for themselves, then we must be willing to endure drug searches
in our schools. Perhaps the time we spend discussing the constitutionality,
or lack of it, in school searches could be better spent with our children
at home discussing the need to respect authority, starting with parental
authority.

Please don't jump to the conclusion that I think all kids and parents are
bad. I don't. The majority of parents and children strive to do things
right but have to suffer the consequences when a few fail to show
responsibility. It only takes a few people to cause chaos, but everyone
must be involved if we are to create harmony.

We also need to remember that our society is like a mirror. When we look at
it we see ourselves. And when we look at a problem in our mirror of
society, we can usually see two things -- the cause of the problem and the
solution to the problem -- looking back at us. We must learn to recognize
our role in problem causation and problem solution. Then we may be able to
spend less time discussing drug searches in our public school system and
more quality time with our children.

Ted Hughes is an Oglethorpe County resident and former county commissioner.