First of all, I would like the say that no one asked me to write this editorial, no one requested me to do it. I simply felt like it had to be said, and the community had to be informed.
Do students have any rights? Apparently the answer is no. In attempts to rid the school of alleged drug use and even sales, the school has begun taking what I consider drastic steps. With every new drug search and resource officer hired, the school is becoming more and more like the 1984 society of literature. Becoming a life in which the populous live in constant fear of unjust persecution. The opinions, and I stress opinions, of other students are becoming increasing powerful in the hands of the administration. Suspected offenders are drawn directly from the “anonymous tips” given by students, students who were allegedly paid for their help in “saving the school.” I'm sure these students just rack their brains for any name they can think of to add ten more dollars to their salary. Even the simplest logic can find the gaping holes in this idea. After this list was developed, resource officers removed specific “high-risk” students from class to question them the matter. Using methods including authority pressure, quoting the “testimony” of others, and even criticizing social life, including relationships. In one such situation, an officer remarked to a student, “Maybe you should stop doing so many drugs and get a girlfriend.” This is unacceptable. Not only is class time interrupted, but also personal attacks are used against students to force a false confession.
Now school searches are another story. If anyone suggests that these searches don't have specific targets in mind, then they have either not been at school during them, or they are involved with setting them up. Every year, there are a few people who seem to be involved in every drug search, and when K9 units are used, the dogs always “hit on” their materials. They are always brought out of class by a uniformed officer while fellow students watch, and then are questioned about the matter. In my time as a student, none of these “high-risk” students have ever been legitimately caught with any contraband, and no proof has been given to their targeting. Yet, every time, the dogs “hit on” their materials. While the dogs are making their “uninfluenced” rounds about the classroom, students from that classroom are removed. An administrator and a resource officer hold the unquestioned authority over crimes that can affect the rest of a student's life. In the last search, students were able to see through a classroom window at the event. However, when the resource officer in charge realized this ability, he told the students to stop looking through the window, and then he stood, completely obstructing the view. It has been suggested by multiple students who were able to see that the officer went directly to a “high-risk” student's book bag with a drug dog and forced it to thoroughly examine the open pack back. By the way, the book bag was unopened when the students left the room. What justification is there for student removal during these searches? It can't be as suggested, that student privacy is protected, as those students who the officers deem criminal are removed in plain sight of the other students. I believe that students should be allowed to stay in the rooms being searched, and in exchange for this right, students who wish to remain will line up against a wall, and the dog will be led down the line of students. If this request is in some way unreasonable, I would love to know why.
Please don't get me wrong; I am not against drug searches at all. Their true purpose to stop drug possession and traffic within the school. I completely agree with this goal, and legitimate methods of acquiring it. I cannot however support the present system, and as much as I would like to think we live in a perfect world where no one would ever misuse his or her authority, this world isn't perfect. This situation will not get better unless students, with the support of the community, stand up. If you still remain unaffected by this editorial, imagine this. Due to your son “rubbing another student the wrong way,” that student tipped the authorities on false allegations on drug possession, your son is publicly humiliated for the rest of his high school career as he is constantly targeted by officers and their searching methods. Surreptitious behavior on the part of our so-called protectors causes more harm than good. Stand up, but this time, don't leave the room.
