Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2002
Source: Bucks County Courier Times (PA)
Copyright: 2002 Calkins Newspapers. Inc.
Contact: http://www.phillyburbs.com/feedback/content_cti.shtml
Website: http://www.phillyburbs.com/couriertimes/index.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1026
Author: Aimee Otis

LET THE DOGS OUT

You're not supposed to have drugs anywhere. So who cares if there are
drug-sniffing dogs in school?

Regarding the story about Hope Cunningham, who believes the Neshaminy
School District should not use drug-sniffing dogs: I believe she is
wrong.

These dogs can be used to sniff lockers, bags, cars and even staff
areas. As reported in the article, these dogs won't come in direct
contact with people.

Cunningham believes this is an outrage. She believes it is an invasion
of privacy and violates the constitutional ban on unreasonable
searches. Kids who don't do drugs in school have no reason to worry.
All the school is taking away is the right to do drugs.

I can't imagine why this is a controversy. Are the metal detectors in
the airports taking away our constitutional right when our bags are
screened? You're not supposed to have drugs anywhere. So who cares if
there are drug-sniffing dogs in school? I haven't seen one dog yet.
It's not like they walk around as if they're people. They would check
lockers, etc. when students are in class, and only if there is reason
to check. They won't just check because of rumors.

This is for the safety of students. If someone has drugs in school,
Mrs. Cunningham's and everyone else's child could be exposed to drugs.

These dogs are helping the school be a better and safer place for
students to get an education.

Aimee Otis,
Levittown
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake