Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 Source: Telegraph Herald (IA) Copyright: 2005 Telegraph Herald Contact: http://www.thonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/604 Author: Becky Doty Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) REMEMBER, DRUG USE ILLEGAL A letter on July 11 stated that people of Dubuque would oppose police using drug dogs randomly throughout the city of Dubuque, so why allow them in schools. Aren't drugs illegal? Those not using drugs have no need to worry if a drug sniffing dog happens to cross their path. It doesn't make any difference what the age, race or social status is of the person, if they are using drugs they are breaking the law. I recently lost a relative to a drug overdose. For years I witnessed how drugs can tear a family apart, only to end in tragedy. If having drug dogs in our schools will prevent or deter drug users from infiltrating our schools, preventing another family from going through the same heartache, then it's time to allow the dogs in our schools. I have two children enrolled at Senior High School. I am definitely in favor of having a drug dog patrol their school, resulting in a safer school and preventing my children, their friends or peers from being exposed to drugs. Have any of the people who are opposed to the dogs even thought that if a child is found with drugs, it may be a defining moment in their life and they could get help to kick the drug habit? It's time those opposed to the drug dogs stop burying their heads in the sand and realize that drugs are real and they aren't going away. As responsible adults, we need to protect our children. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth