EQUATING FREEDOM TO DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS IS JUST TOO IRONIC

Dear editor,

Although I am not from your region of Canada, and not a student, teacher,
or adminstrator, I felt I had to reply to Patty-Anne Lea's letter about
Gator the police dog sniffing out pot-smoking pre-teens. She claims that
schools should be places where children can learn about "basic self-respect
for one's self and others" and "basic human rights" and "be free of
bullies, intimidation and drugs".

How fitting that Ms. Lea is so unaware of the irony of these statements.
What students learn from these warrantless intrusions on their privacy is
that with all this talk of freedom, we've adopted a police state mentality
concerning the war on drugs.

How would Ms Lea feel if one of these "highly-trained police officers" came
to her door and had a "highly-trained police dog" sniff her down. I'm sure
it would give her a different perspective.

And one more thing, pot doesn't make you shoot people. That's Ritalin.

Robert Desrosiers
Toronto