Pubdate: Sat, 12 Apr 2003
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003
Contact:  http://www2.odt.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

DOG USED FOR SCHOOL DRUG SEARCH

Timaru: A trained dog from a private company is being used by Timaru Boys 
High School to search for drugs. Rector Kevin O'Sullivan said yesterday the 
use of the Elite Dog Services was not in response to a particular incident 
or allegation at the school but part of an ongoing policy to keep the 
school drug free.

Mr O'Sullivan said the school had promised the community it would be a safe 
place.

"Drug detection is part of that, as we know marijuana is used in the 
community at large and we do not want it coming into the school."

Mr O'Sullivan said the pupils had been warned at assemblies that action was 
to be taken, but they were not told when and in what form the action would 
take.

"The best news for the school was nothing was found but if it had been the 
appropriate action would have taken place."

He said the use of private companies was increasingly common.

The company's dog had searched the school and its boarding house.