Pubdate: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 Source: Sun Herald (MS) Copyright: 2002 The Sun Herald Contact: http://web.sunherald.com/content/biloxi/2000/12/28/pageone/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432 Author: Ashley Zoerner, The Sun Herald STUDENTS DENOUNCE STRIP SEARCHES AT SCHOOL Hancock County School Superintendent Mike Ladner's announcement that he was willing to authorize strip searches of students suspected of carrying illegal drugs didn't set too well with students at the school. Ladner made the statement after a student overdosed on prescription sleeping pills before the Christmas holiday. His war on drugs includes the possibility of strip searching students suspected of having illegal drugs. Most of the students at the school surveyed did not agree that strip searching was a method for searching, even though the state Attorney General's Office said school officials could legally have students strip searched with only a reasonable suspicion. In a survey sponsored by The Sun Herald's Web site, two-thirds of those who voted did not approve of strip searching as a way to combat drug use. Here is an example of what some Hancock High School students had to say to the question, "Should school officials be allowed to strip search students?" a.. Jessica LeRouge, junior: "No, because I think it is degrading toward all students. I also think that most of the students are smart enough not to bring drugs with them to school. I think that they are just saying this to scare students, but I don't think it will work." a.. Ronald Zoerner, ninth grade: "No, I think going as far as strip searching is an invasion of the students' privacy." a.. Rachel Necaise, junior: "I don't like it because kids at Hancock could make false accusations against someone if they were mad at them. A student could convince an administrator that another student has drugs on them and get strip searched. It would be very embarrassing." a.. LeTisha Shiyou, junior: "I agree in some situations. If parents give consent and are present during the search, then it's not that bad. It actually scares me to think that they have the power to invade my privacy. It also worries me to think that the school board thinks of Hancock High students as being that involved with drugs. The thought of being stripped searched just because they have a suspicion is disturbing." a.. Scott Nesom, ninth grade: "It's not right to do that to the students. A backpack check should be as far as they go as far as searching. Strip searching is going way too far." Ashley Zoerner is a student at Hancock County High School and a member of The Sun Herald Teen Board. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom