3 Houston teachers arrested on drug charges

HOUSTON (AP) - Three Houston high school teachers were arrested on drug charges Monday, the latest in a string of cases involving school district employees caught with illegal drugs.

      At least 12 Houston Independent School District employees have been arrested on drug charges, prompting district superintendent Abelardo Saavedra to consider more random drug-dog searches and other strategies to combat the problem, the Houston Chronicle reported.

      The latest arrests came after officials at Yates High School requested a search of employee and student parking lots on the south Houston campus. Two teachers were charged with possession of marijuana, while a third was arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing prescription drugs.

      The Houston school district has about 30,000 employees.

      "HISD is committed to maintaining a drug-free environment for our children," district officials said in a statement issued Monday. "Violations will not be tolerated."

      (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)