Nothing can ever bring back the 26 innocent children and brave educators who lost their lives in Newtown, Conn., shooting last week, but their deaths do not have to be in vain if future tragedies like this can be prevented.

The nation is still reeling from this heart-wrenching tragedy that has us once again questioning many components of our society and asking ourselves how something like this could be allowed to happen.

Much of the upcoming discussion will center around gun-control as is it likely should, but there should be much more to the conversation. Perhaps the most important question is can more be done at public schools to ensure students are safe.

Lawrence County schools have done a good job, especially with the new facilities, but there is always room for self evaluation.

Every component of school safety should be reconsidered and analyzed. Could minor changes improve safety?

The same goes for any entity that operates a public facility. Safety and security must be part of the conversation.

Another part of the equation has to be offering help for those who are considered at-risk or who have some level of mental disorder. This includes counseling for them as well as educational efforts directed at family and loved ones who may not fully understand the dangers.

These are just a few of the areas that must not be overlooked if we, as a society, hope to find any positive in this terrible tragedy.