Pubdate: Tue, 02 Dec 2003 Source: Observer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 The Sarnia Observer Contact: http://www.canada.com/sarnia/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676 DRUG DOGS TO SEARCH DRYDEN HIGH SCHOOL Dryden High School (DHS) Principal Rick Victor passed a motion at a recent school council meeting to bring in a drug dog to search the school. Victor, who had been against the idea in the past, says this was an opportunity to provide more for his students. "I changed my mind because I wanted to expand on the initiative the school is already doing," he says. Allowing the K-9 unit to come in and search the school is part of their initiative to teach all students the consequences of drugs and alcohol. As part of this initiative, teachers and staff are already helping to prevent this problem. In the classroom, teachers talk about drug prevention and board policies as part of the curriculum throughout each grade level, class and course. Once a year, a speaker comes in to discuss responsible decision making with the entire student body. Recently, Dryden High has implemented a breathalyzer test as a requirement to get into dances, along with the Safe Grad program. "Our council's main focus is students and their safety," says Trudy Griffiths, chair of the Ontario Parent Council. She adds that bringing in the K-9 unit will hopefully be used as a deterrent, to compliment the work the school is already doing. Although the drug dog has been in previously, it was for demonstrations only. "This issue has been under review for a couple of years now, to ensure the school is doing everything in its power," she notes. "There were concerns and I wanted to take every step I could to prevent the problem. I felt there was a need for it," says Victor. However, the decision has met with some mixed emotions from both students and parents. DHS Student council president Steven Gould reported that many students like the idea of a dog searching the school because they feel safer and that they are being taken care of. But other students didn't see the move as an improvement. "Even the thought of bringing the dogs into the school is an invasion of privacy," says Tori Groves, a student at DHS. "I don't have anything to hide, but I don't think that's right." Several other students echoed this sentiment. Some parents believe that it's a good idea and agree it will help the school become a safer place. "I think it is a good idea to bring the dogs in," says parent Micheline Nolet. "This will keep drugs out of the schools and stop kids from selling them." Many other parents wondered where it would go from here. The policy on possession of drugs is as follows: for students in possession, a 20-day suspension is given; for students suspected of trafficking narcotics, a minimum of a 21-day expulsion is given. The parents are also contacted, as well as the police. Using the K-9 unit involves a 30-minute inspection of lockers and classrooms, if that is what the principal chooses. There is no set date on which it happens, and only the principal will be informed. "From the research I have gathered, the dogs won't be allowed near the students at any time during the search," says Victor. "Students will be removed from the area the dog is inspecting." A detailed letter will be sent to parents in the near future. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens