(Goose Creek, SC) Nov. 10, 2003 -- State police in South Carolina are investigating whether local officers overreacted when they charged into a high school with guns drawn for a drug sweep.
     
No drugs were found, and no drug-related arrests were made.
     
Videotape on November 5th from Stratford High School in Goose Creek shows the officers with guns drawn watching the students who were handcuffed and made to sit against the walls. Police dogs sniffed the students' backpacks.

School officials and police said it is an example of zero tolerance, but some parents and community members said it makes zero sense.
  
Berkeley County School Superintindent Chester Floyd admitted Monday things went too far, "From our perspective, it was highly unusual. It was the first time they've used that. It was a first for us. We want to be first in a lot of things, but I'm not sure we want to be first in this."

Prosecutor Ralph Hoisington told the Charleston Post and Courier that he wants an investigation into possible police misconduct. Hoisington says he has "serious concerns about the need for restraining students and drawing weapons."

Stratford Principal George McCrackin says he had talked with police about what he considered a growing drug problem, and the police responded. A police lieutenant said having guns drawn is a matter of officer safety, because weapons often accompany drug dealing.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division continues to investigate the incident. No charges have been filed.

Reported by Craig Melvin
Posted 6:03pm by BrettWitt with AP