Archive for the ‘hot topics’ Category

Six years ago, a 13-year-old girl was strip-searched at her school based on the accusation of another student. This student claimed that Savana Redding was giving prescription-strength ibuprofen medicine to other students. The school found nothing, and later, Savana took the school to court, stating the strip-search was unconstitutional and humiliating. After two courts ruled in the school’s favor, and then a higher court ruled in favor of Savana, the case was appealed to the Supreme Court, where it sits now.

At issue here is this: should a school be allowed to strip-search a student based on accusations or suspicions that the student has illegal drugs (or even weapons) on their person? We all know that schools are allowed to search students’ lockers, even backpacks, based on suspicion, but is this going too far? On one hand, you have the 4th amendment, which protects us against “unreasonable” searches, but then on the other hand, you have the safety and security of a whole student body. Many would call the strip-searching of a young girl very unreasonable, especially when the item under suspicion was prescription ibuprofen, but then others may take it further, citing stories of teen drug-pushers, hiding drugs, prescription or illegal, under their clothing to pass to their classmates.

My opinion? Based on the little information given in the case, I lean on the side of Savana Redding. I believe all people, any age, deserve the rights of the constitution, and also the basic right of respect. Many news sources are saying that Savana was made to “shake out” her underwear, and that also her parents were not present: to me, these are the things that take this case too far, and I think that many people may share my same view.

I’m interested in seeing how this court case ends up, as it will have a very large effect on the future of teen rights in this country.

For More: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/19/scotus.strip.search/