Pubdate: Fri, 09 May 2008 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Micheal Vonn Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08.n470.a03.html SCHOOL SEARCHES NOT DISALLOWED BY COURT RULINGS Re: Safety vs. freedom, Geoff Johnson, May 5 The Supreme Court of Canada decisions regarding the use of dogs for random searches of public places have generated much unfounded hysteria. For the record, the court has not disallowed such searches. It found that the police require "reasonable suspicion" before they can conduct such a search. Johnson would have us believe that the decisions deprive schools of the ability to safeguard students. This is incorrect. The court said that the expectation of privacy in a school is lower than in other settings because of the school's obligation to ensure safety. Principals and teachers are still fully capable of following up information regarding drugs or weapons and they can still seek police assistance. What they can't do is give the police carte blanche to drop by any time, with no grounds whatsoever, to search students' possessions. What's really dangerous is when people start believing that we need to give up our rights to stay safe. Micheal Vonn Policy director B.C. Civil Liberties Association - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin