February 5, 2009

editorial

Need something better than dogs

At the school board-sponsored forum last Thursday night, a dozen young people spoke eloquently against the use of drug dogs in the high school. No one wants drugs in the schools, the speakers said, but the drug dog strategy offers little help to troubled teenagers. Rather, a dog search would encourage troubled kids to keep their stash at home and also heighten the growing tension between local young people and adults. Several students stated that drug use has decreased in the high school, and that, while no amount of use is a good thing, the drug dogs seem an extreme measure.

The young people were impressive in their reasoned arguments and the respect and affection they showed for YSHS Principal John Gudgel, who has called for the searches. Less impressive was the school board, which did not take a stand. According to board members, the board set the broad policy for drug-free schools and it’s not their job to tell school administrators how to reach that goal. They will not vote, nor state their views in a public venue. This response seems wrongheaded. The community needs leadership on controversial topics, and the board needs to provide it.

There are reasons other than those raised by these young people to question the drug dog strategy. There’s little evidence that the strategy is effective. While the dogs sometimes sniff out drugs, they make false hits as well, creating unnecessary shame and embarassment. And while in this country the courts allow dog searches, many reasonable people oppose it, and in other countries there is dispute. For instance, last year the Canadian Supreme Court declared the practice unlawful and a violation of students’ rights. At the least, the practice seems demeaning; in most cases students are locked into classrooms when the dogs sniff lockers outside. You might imagine how this would feel.

This is a hard, heart-wrenching issue. As one recent graduate said Thursday night, this town is still aching over the tragic death of Tim Lopez. But she went on to say that things have changed in the last seven years, and that these young people need a chance to prove themselves as responsible, caring citizens. They have the time, the energy and the desire to help, she said, asking school authorities to engage young people in making the schools a better place.

There’s no easy answer here. Everyone wants what’s best for the kids, and no one wants that more than Mr. Gudgel, an uncommonly kind and decent man who is deservedly beloved in this community and seen as an exceptional leader. But like the young people on Thursday night, it’s possible to respectfully disagree. The use of drug dogs seems a bad idea, an approach that might not provide meaningful help for troubled kids, could alienate them further, and would likely create more tensions between local teenagers and adults. This is Yellow Springs. We should come up with something better.

—Diane Chiddister