Tied up beasts are roaming the American schools, in search of poisonous drugs and deadly weapons, so that law enforcement may bring steel justice to those who would even consider putting the students of our great nation in danger. The Fourth Amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches. If a student refuses to be searched, reasonable suspicion must be found for a school official to search the student, and law enforcement must find a probable cause. The context in these situations is not always clear, and controversy is common because of this. I believe drug-sniffing dogs used in student searches are harmless and prevent drug usage within schools, creating safe school systems. Historically speaking, student searches came about …show more content…
Drug-dogs could make the school "feel like a prison." At the Longmont High School, certain parents and students believed the dogs "...would create a climate of fear and distrust between teachers and pupils. ... Some of the kids feel ... that the reason we're deciding to do this [use drug-sniffing dogs] is that we don't trust them" (Robinson). The presence of the dogs could scare students and could distance students from administrators. Opponents also point out that the dogs may violate the students' rights. Kate R. Ehlenberger says that "school administrators must balance students' individual rights with the school community's need for a safe learning environment" (Ehlenberger 31), and according to Mary White in Bryan Robinson's 2017 article, "With the decision [to use drug-sniffing dogs], you also run the risk of alienating the kids. Some of the kids feel their personal rights are being violated..." (Robinson). The dogs can make students believe their rights are being interfered with. Some courts believe it also interferes with the students' privacy. Ehlenberger also cites that "Prevention of drug abuse, according to this court, does not justify the dog sniffing the person because it intrudes on the expectation of privacy and security (B.C. v. Plumas Unified School District, 1999). This case changed practices in many school districts - those schools no longer use the dogs to sniff around students" (Ehlenberger 33). Some courts and schools believe that the dogs clash with the privacy and security of students. This is proof that not all students, schools, and courts agree with the use of drug-sniffing dogs, since they stir up fear and distrust, are controversial towards students' rights, and interfere with the students' privacy and
... is one that a reasonable guardian and tutor might undertake.” And he concluded that given the mission of public schools, and the circumstances of this case, the searches required by the school board's policy were “reasonable” and thereby permissible under the Constitution's 4th Amendment.
Keller High School principal, Jeff Bradley states, “’We want to take every precaution to keep drugs out’” (Engelland par 5). Bradley sent out letters to the parents of students of Keller informing them of the searches by drug dog. The dogs will search student’s lockers, parking lots, and the classrooms (Engelland par. 6-8). In another article, Mark Walsh addresses the impact that drug dogs have had on schools. He tells how under Florida’s Fourth Amendment understanding, police officers would be free to walk by a car or a student for example and instruct the dog to begin searching (Walsh 21). Walsh tells of how other cases involving dogs will affect schools because if it is permissible for a dog to walk up and sniff anyone that passes by this point in time police will be continually searching without a warrant. This would be a blatant disregard for the amendment against unwarranted searches and seizures (21-2). If this were to continue, dogs could eventually maintain a steady presence in schools, and this would impact schools significantly due to the fact that the police would not be required to leave. Police already hold a high presence, and drug dogs would highly increase police authority
Furthermore, the opinion of the Supreme Court reveled that students can express their opinions anywhere even when the principal clearly made a rule banning armbands so problems would not be created. The disruptions from armbands could ca...
Recently at Longmeadow High School it became mandatory to pass an “alcohol-screening test” before entering a school dance. This breathalyzer will detect alcohol on one’s breath. No student that has been drinking will be admitted to the event. Longmeadow High School has recently purchased breathalyzers which teacher chaperones administer to all students entering a school function. This issue has brought about much conflict. Many people see it as a positive thing; however, the breathalyzer at school dances should be eliminated. A dance is a sage, chaperoned place for students to hang out but the breathalyzer is turning many away from attending these dances. Many students feel as if the breathalyzer is an invasion of their privacy and reject the idea completely. Many parents favor it because they do not want their children drinking at all. The breathalyzer should be eliminated because it drives kids to more dangerous situation, it leads to an increased usage of other drugs and it decreases school spirit and profit.
The main reason why people should accept these dogs in school, is because the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, is an act that includes a part where dogs who are trained to help people with disabilities, are allowed into public spaces. School is considered a public space and the ADA considers service animals as important tools for people with disabilities.
Dogs have impacted the lives of 44% of American families and homes. People use dogs for much more than just a family friend. Dogs are used for special needs, assisting police, and hunting and tracking. Dogs should be appreciated and never taught to fight or be neglected. Dog fighting is unethical because man’s best friend shouldn’t have to fight for their lives.
The largest and first assault on the rights of students to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures occurred in the case of New Jersey v. T.L.O. In 1980 at Piscataway High School in Middlesex County, N.J. a few girls were caught smoking in the bathroom. After being brought to the principal's office one of the girls, T.L.O., denied that she had been smoking. The principal then searched her purse looking for cigarettes. After finding a pack of cigarettes the search continued until the principal discovered evidence of drug dealing. This evidence was used to prosecute T.L.O. and ultimately she received a year of p...
The law differs from state to state as the 4th amendment has been modified to meet public school safety. Legislatures decided that there needs to be some modification of the level of suspicion of illegal activity needed to justify a search. They also decided that there's a need for a balanced between the students and the school setting. The 4th amendment has been modified from where you need probable cause and a warrant to...
Which can be having armed officers walk though halls, making sure the school is safe from any harm that could potentially happen.
These dogs train quicker than the aggressive dog and usually perform their job well. Compulsive drug dogs are easier to get along with, in that they are friendlier than an aggressive dog. Compulsive dogs make great pets after they are no longer used for drug searches. Many times the compulsive dog will lead you to believe there is drugs hidden in an area where there is none. This tends to create suspense to a search.
The schools had also brought in school officers to have on school grounding during school hours. They feel that they need these type of secured to have their children protected. Parents feel a little say knowing that there is a police in school patrolling. In several school they have started to do searches to make sure no one is bring anything dangerous that could harm a person. This is super important to makes sure no weapons are on school grounds. Schools have also put on their policy that if any weapon is found on the person’s possession there could be serious
Starr, the claim is being made that the Supreme Court should not follow the 9th Circuit and should rule in favor of the school. One reason in support of this claim is that “policies that keep pro-drug messages out of the school environment reflect common sense” (500). The idea that school officials act in loco parentis, in place of the home, supports the fact that these rules are common sense because it makes what a student would and wouldn’t do in front of their parents apply at school also. A student would most likely not encourage drug use, or joke about it, in front of their parents, therefore, a student should not do that in front of their school officials.
In a study conducted in Poland in 2013, it was found that the effectiveness of drug detection varies by several factors. Among them was breed, training level, and the type of drug. In the study, they chose several different breeds. Sixty-eight Labrador retrievers,
I. Drug testing is meant to help clean our communities and the schools from drug related problems. Drug testing is an easy yet complicated test for many people. Statistics have shows a dramatic decrease of drug use and abuse in between the years of 2000-2006 (University Services, 2009). The U.K.’s country wide drug testing have helped show scientists all over the world the improvements that drugs testing at schools can make.
There is right from wrong and it is wrong for student to do drugs unless prescribed by a doctor. It will benefit students’ lives by making right and smart choices. The goal of high school is to educate and prepare students for a successful future, but how can a students future be successful if they are doing drugs? Research and statistics have shown that drug use and dropout rates go hand in hand. The annual dropout rate in the United States is extremely high. One in seven students will drop out of high school before receiving their diploma and over thirty percent of these dropouts use drugs illegally. Many high schools around the nation...