Pubdate: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 Source: Huntsville Times (AL) Copyright: 2004 The Huntsville Times Contact: http://www.htimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/730 Author: Christopher Bell, Times Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) BREW'S BAD NEWS FOR TEENS, DRUGS Decatur Canine Cuts Substance Abuse on School Campuses DECATUR - Just the sight of Brew, a cream-colored mixed-breed dog, and some teenagers in Decatur schools become jittery. And with good reason. The drug-sniffing canine has already proved effective in reducing the use of illegal drugs on high school and middle school campuses, said Phil Hastings, school safety supervisor. Recently Brew and his trainer, Canine Officer Mike Pettey, entered a gymnasium as students were leaving and shortly after the four-legged crime-fighter located a bag of marijuana beneath some bleachers. "It's obvious that a student tossed the drugs under the bleachers when he saw Brew," Hastings said. During a stroll past cars in a parking lot, Brew detected the smell of drugs. However, a search of the car failed to reveal any illegal drugs. "Brew was still able to detect there had been drugs in the car," Hastings added. Drugs were found in cars parked at schools this year, and the students faced a judge and an administrative expulsion. Just having Brew visit the city's two high schools and three middle schools has proved effective in reducing the use of drugs on campuses, Hastings said. Until recently, Brew had been visiting the five schools only a few times each school year. Now Brew and Pettey drop by each school at least once a week. A school official is always present during a search. Also, neither the officer nor the dog gets close to the students. Petting is a no-no. A favorite routine for Brew is to sniff lockers in a hallway, smelling the bottom ones and leaping high to check the top ones while Pettey keeps a firm grip on the harness. The officer said Brew is certified to detect crack cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager