TR>I agree that some of the schools go overboard, but you have to remember 
that
TR>school policy is not the law.
Yes I know that School Policy is not the law.. Unless you happen to be
inside the school.... Then it is the law (Well, not legally, but still
it has the force of law)
Laws, however are subject to review of the people.  PEOPLE can take
over, If a law is passed which is BAD, then the PEOPLE have the power to
do something about it (Pettition to place the issue on the ballot and
vote it into oblivion)
However Schools are free to make their own policy.  At the wim of thier
board, With little, if any, public interference.  The Pubilc, in many
cases NEVER KNOWS.  And the only recourse is to vote for differeent
appliccants in the next school board elections.
TR> Schools are attempting to address some very
TR>difficult problems, and most of the administrators are completely outside
TR>their area of expertise.
Now there we have agreement
TR>The primary problem of a school should be to teach
TR>children, not deal with guns, dope, and to the death conflicts. Some 
chool
TR>districts consult with people who know what they are doing, and some just
TR>jump in with what sounds like it might work. Please keep in mind two
TR>beginning points: 1) school policy is not public law; 2) the police 
nforce
TR>public law, not school policy.
Again we have agreement... However within the school bounds, and on the
school property the policies of the school have the force of law.
In fact, I've witnessed schools who extend that power beyond their
boundries.  To public lands patrolled by the police.  (This I have
witnessed with my own eyes)
As to police officers working the schools... Well the police can enforce
the  public LAW within the school.  And sometimes it's a "School Cop"
who is empowered with the authority to enforce School "law" (note
quotes around "law" please) and sometimes it's a real cop who
"moonlights" as a school cop (Big plan of a looser here in Detroit was
to rent all the police out as "rent-a-cops" during their off hours,
That's part of the reason she was a looser when the ballots were
counted)
And yes, that can cause confusion
However the types who would suspend a student, WITHOUT TRIAL OR PROOF
(note evidence is not the same as proof) for passing out drugs, when
said drug is a genuine, untainted, sugar cube,  They need to be
1: castrated
2: Dismissed from any posistion of power higher than Ditch Digger
TR>The intentions of school officials in dealing with drugs on campass are 
good
I agree the Intentions are good.  So's the sales pitch
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM MAKE SURE THAT THE DRUGS ARE REALLY DRUGS
In the story I told (Refered to above) there were no drugs, Not even
so much as an asprin tablet.  Just sugar, Pure sugar, Like the very well
named Life-saver's candy.  Pure sugar with a hint of flavor added.
No LSD,  No Crack.  No Mary Jane,  No Horse, No Snow.  Just sugar.
 * SLMR 2.1a * Intellect has its limits while stupidity knows no bounds 
--- Silver Xpress Mail System 5.03H1
---------------