Pubdate: Fri, 16 Nov 2001
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2001 Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.denver-rmn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/371
Author: Amy Bounds
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

COLORADO PRINCIPAL DEFENDS USE OF DRUG DOGS

Students in one Colorado high school might soon have something new greeting 
them in the hallways after class: drug-sniffing dogs.

Longmont High School principal Mary White plans to use dogs to sniff out 
drugs in student lockers and cars, but she says she would prefer that they 
didn't find any.

"I really hope we don't find anything," she said. "But if we do, we'll deal 
with it."

She defended the controversial plan at a forum this week attended by about 
30 students and parents. The dogs, which would be supplied by Longmont 
police, would search while students are in class. School officials haven't 
decided how often to use the dogs.

Some students said the dogs will erode trust between students and 
administrators.

"The two students you catch on the third dog search - is that worth the 
students at the school who feel uncomfortable?" asked Longmont High student 
body President Tony Pares. "It goes too far."

But fellow student Andy Hopping, a junior, said students who bring drugs to 
school give up their right to expect trust from school administrators.

"They're just doing it as a safeguard," he said.

Principal White said she struggled with the issue but decided the drug 
problem is serious enough to warrant a more active response than the 
current drug-education presentations and assemblies.

"I want to send a message to students who continually bring drugs into the 
school," she said.

She said students and parents alike urged her to take stronger action, 
including a parent who said her son was offered a joint of marijuana in the 
hall between classes.

White said three students have been caught with drugs this week alone at 
the school. About 120 of 150 suspensions at the school last year involved 
drugs.

"I have a responsibility to protect every kid that's in this school," White 
said.

"The only ones who have anything to worry about are those who are doing 
something illegal," she said.
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