Thanks to the Redmond Police Department and Redmond High School staff for choosing to stand their ground and teach the students more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.

Drug use and sales are certainly not a new issue; whether at Redmond or any other high school. Breaking the law and attempting to get away with it are also not new ideas.

Although innocent until proven guilty, I applaud the efforts of the school and police department to make it abundantly clear that drugs are not acceptable or tolerated in any form on school property.

The alleged offenders had choices – don’t sell, don’t offer, don’t participate in drugs. The bad economy may be the rationale given for their choices, but the reality is that the choices had little to do with economy, race, or family. Participation in any illegal activity has obvious consequences; regardless of the level of involvement, age of the participant or the method of arrest.

Teaching our children and students the value of choices, consequences and legal ramifications may be of higher significance for their future successes than in educational achievements alone.

Paige A. Norman, Redmond