Pubdate: Fri, 12 Oct 2007
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: William M. Bento

DRUG SEARCHES

Rules Must Protect US From False Accusations

David Shapiro's support of drug-dog searches in public schools 
(Volcanic Ash, Oct. 10) is based upon one very important flaw - a 
belief that only the guilty are accused and prosecuted.

He fails to address what will happen to the student whose locker is 
found to contain contraband, but had nothing to do with putting it 
there. As we who attended public schools know, all lockers have vent 
holes, and we have all had unpleasant things pushed into our lockers 
by other students.

Mr. Shapiro suffers from the same misconception that many in the 
public do, that if one is truly innocent then the system will exonerate you.

The protection that our Constitution gives us is not just there to 
protect criminals from being investigated or prosecuted, but also to 
protect those who are innocent from being falsely accused.

William M. Bento

'Ewa Beach
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom