The information in the article “Search Yields Response” (April 2, page 1) was no surprise to me. Many of my peers at Kennebunk High School had negative things to say about the police dog drug search.

I personally believe school is a place we should feel trusted and safe. On the day of the search I did not feel that way. I understand the Fourth Amendment fully gives schools the right to search at any time and that there is a drug issue within my school, although I was disappointed by the ways in which the search was conducted.

Cars and backpacks of innocent students were search and only a small number of students were “caught” during the whole ordeal. I believe having more informational presentations on the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol would be more effective than random drug searches. A few students were suspended for their wrongdoings, but many kids felt irritated and unsettled after the search. Showing drug users what could happen to them would be far more disturbing than a suspension.

I feel the search was a bad call, and further searches would be an even worse idea.

Martha Dempsey

Kennebunk High School student