March 26, 2006
SinceWEAsked: Drug-sniffing dogs on campus
Eagle Point, Phoenix and Rogue River high schools bring drug-detection dogs to campus and the Medford School Board recently approved a policy that would open the door to such searches on its campuses.
We asked:
"What do you think of having dogs trained in drug detection search school property?"
After you read through the answers from our Web readers, check out our new question, which pertains to media coverage of a local news event.
What if the dog’s first detection is a teacher? And can we get a policy allowing the dogs to teach. Now that’s my tax dollars! — Sharene F., Central Point
I work at Crater High School and I think it's a horrible idea. The students are respectful and we should treat them with the same respect. — Mary G., Sams Valley
I think drug dogs should not be allowed to do searches, unless there is reasonable cause to believe there are drugs in an area of the school. — Tim, White City
I think it is a wonderful idea, they would find the dealers also. — Maggie K., Medford
Best idea I have heard in a long time. Do it !! — Bob L., Central Point
Drug detection dogs should be allowed only after students have been informed prior to search, and have left the property. — Traci J., Medford
Yes, and let’s get some elephants trained in tracking down students who don't get their homework finished. —Samantha J., Jacksonville
Kids being what they are if they are using drugs they might intimidate or force another student to hold the drugs for them as they bully the student to protect themselves from the dogs. This student would then be
the one caught and charged with possession. Also when my daughter was in high school she was talking to someone who was smoking a cigerette. The guy heard the cop coming and took off running. When he got there, the
police made her dump out her bag and all her things to try to find the cigarette that he could still smell. What might work better is to find or train a dog to detect the presence of drugs in the body. They currently
have dogs that can smell disease in a person so it seems that this might be a better option. The only part of having dogs in the schools is what happens when they do catch people with drugs. Are they kicked out
permanently or do we have a program and a facility to send them to that can help them with their problem? Without a solution once you catch them it seems pretty pointless. Those that are caught will go on to become
criminals without jobs or education and become more of a problem to themselves and society. The goal should be to find a way to understand why each individual tries drugs and then get the necessary help to them so that
drugs are no longer an option. If you don't have a total package in place you only serve to make the problem worse in the long run. Things like smaller schools and lesson plans designed to make everyone feel like an
achiever and having a parent home when school gets out. Sometimes the problems are the parents themselves and the lifestyles they expose their kids to. Depressurize some of the hard-working teens and boost the esteem of
the others. Create facilities that can help these kids after the fact instead of just terrorizing them with aggressive dogs. Most kids that appear tough and strong and break the rules are anything but and to sic a dog on
them iscruel. Don't give up on the problem but realize it as being much bigger than just finding the dope. — Susan J., Medford
It's a great idea! Drug use hurts everyone and drug-detecting dogs would be a deterrent. Students and teachers deserve a safe environment. — Margaret B., Shady Cove
Bring the dogs. It's way past time. What took so long to get there? Why aren't the schools doing more to deter drug use, such as random student drug testing. It's already been upheld by the Supreme Court for all
extra-curricular activities. The schools owe our children a drug-free environment, before, during and after school, as well as at school activities. — Greg M., Medford
It's is about time. The schools should have done this a long time ago. The kids today have just gotten away with too much and if they say it is invading their privacy, it is not, because the school is public
property. So get those noses going. — Kathy M., Medford
I think it is a great idea. Start in the principal's office, then the school office, then the teachers’ lounge, then the classrooms and then the kids’ stuff. — Bruce, Medford
This seems to be a good idea to me. They should be used with discretion, however. Lockers, for instance, should only be opened and searched if the dog indicates the presence of drugs, firearms, etc. —
Richard S., Medford
If the goal is to raise our children in an environment of fear and anxiety due to living in a rapidly developing police state, then bringing the dogs in is a great idea. Police with sub-machine guns, TV screens with
state slogans spouting out of them, and drugged cafeteria food would be a great idea also. Orwell would be so proud.— Todd E., Ashland
This state has the right to do whatever means possible to keep drugs away, and since it's their school. — Janice, Medford
I think dogs have as much right to an education as anybody else. If there was more training programs like this there would be less dog gangs running the streets and vandalizing and getting in fights. Plus the drugs
might help them consentrite on there school work so they can get jobs when they graduate— mark bark, grizzley peak
This week’s question
No one heard a word from there for more than two weeks then, suddenly, they were everywhere. The missing Ashland family found after becoming stuck in the snow has dominated local news this week, and found its way into
the national media as well.
Now that they’re home safely and apparently healthy, we take a look back and wonder whether the events warranted the news coverage.
We ask:
"Do you think the media made too much of the story of the Stivers family, rescued March 21 from the mountains west of Glendale?"
Please keep your answers brief and on the issue at hand. Responses received without your name and town can not be considered for publication. All responses will appear on the Web site a week from today.
You may submit your answer by using the form here on the Web site, or you may respond directly to
weasked@mailtribune.com
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