Pubdate: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 Source: Athens Banner-Herald (GA) Copyright: 2002 Athens Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.onlineathens.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1535 Author: Tommy Warren, Jr. OCONEE TEACHER DEFENDS DRUG SEARCH AND OTHER PREVENTIONS Providing a safe environment for students to learn is the greatest respect that can be given to our children. The minority side of an issue usually tends to be the most vocal, so I felt compelled to respond to some of the letters and columns printed. I have read some catch phrases with very little substance to back them up in these articles, such as "Guilty until proven innocent." The only explanation for this headline I could find in Ben Bartlett's (March 22) column is that preventative measures automatically imply guilt. While I cannot speak for other teachers, administrators or the school system, I can say teachers live to see students succeed. That is the driving force behind what we do. When a preventative measure is taken, such as the search, it does not imply guilt. What it does is help ensure our students are given the safest environment possible to succeed. Specific students are not targeted. It is handled as a school community, teachers included. At no time, is guilt assumed or implied. If it were true that preventative measures implied guilt, then that brings up a number of issues in our society. Am I implying guilt by watching over my students as they take a test? Am I assumed guilty when the gate checkers at sporting events look into a bag I'm carrying into the stadium? The truth is the preventative measures help protect a student's privacy. Only students who were chosen by the highly trained dogs were even spoken to, and they were not automatically assumed guilty. The plain fact is that weapons on school grounds and drugs are illegal. Trying to keep our school free of those things is putting our students' safety first. It can alert parents to issues regarding their children and provide those children with help to make the right decisions and be successful. To say Oconee County has lost sight of what it is fighting for in its schools is an unsubstantiated, ignorant statement made by someone who has no idea what goes on at our high school. Before criticizing the principles of what educators spend their lives trying to accomplish, it would be appropriate to gain some experience in that area. We work hard to help students be successful as students and people. Do not say we have lost sight of our goal as educators; there is nothing more offensive. Tommy Warren, Jr. OCHS Teacher - --- MAP posted-by: Beth