Pubdate: Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Source: Edson Leader (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 Edson Leader
Contact:  http://www.edsonleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/780
Authors: Zahra Jamal, and Tamara Stecyk Leader staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG SEARCH TURNS UP NIL

When Parkland Composite High School principal Bob Tredger discovered that 
staff and students were concerned about illegal drugs entering the school, 
he didn't waste any time.

After Tredger contacted Edson RCMP, a crew of officers were led by Cpl. 
Leon Fiedler of Stony Plain and his police dog on a drug search at the 
school last Thursday.

On the first day of school, students were informed that their lockers are 
school property and are subject to random searches, but they did not know 
of the search taking place that day until the RCMP arrived, said Tredger.

He explained that he is emphasizing a no drug and alcohol tolerance policy 
with students this year.

"We're interested in the educational interests of students. The best way to 
do that is to have Parkland as a safe school," said Tredger prior to the 
search.

"I'm looking forward to this because it will be a positive step. It will be 
part of a planned approach to have Parkland be a drug-free community."

Prior to the search, there have been three drug-related incidents in the 
past two years.

"In the past we have had students with drugs in the school," he said.

Currently, Tredger's only option is to either suspend or expel students 
found with illegal substances.

He has informally provided a support system to these students with local 
agencies such as the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, a 
family/school liaison worker and RCMP.

He said the present system doesn't provide an opportunity for students to 
change their behaviour.

Tredger is working on a policy that will include the support system.

The Grande Yellowhead Regional Division board must consider the new 
regional protocol and he hopes it's in place by next spring.

Students did not appear to be disgruntled by the inspection.

"It may lead to less drugs being around, which I see (at parties) a lot," 
said Grade 12 student Marc Baudin.

Rechelle Deitner, also Grade 12, was on the same page.

"It doesn't really bother me. And with the way the town is, it's a good idea."

Grade 11 student Spencer Foster didn't disagree with having a search, but 
believed it was a waste of time.

"It's not very effective -- people are going to pack it around. Otherwise 
that's like leaving money in your locker just to have it stolen."

But the seven-year-old German Shepherd did end up in front of one locker, 
indicating it sniffed out an illegal substance.

"We didn't find anything. I contacted a number of students to open the 
batch of lockers which the dog sniffed out and there was nothing there. And 
there's no doubt in my mind that they didn't have any drugs in there," said 
Tredger.

He believes the circulation system may have caused residual odours of other 
students' drug use to ventilate around the school.

Fiedler confirmed that the dog's indication of drug trafficking does not 
always guarantee drugs have been found, since it's trained to be sensitive 
to certain air currents.

"It could have been there yesterday or two to three weeks ago, depending on 
the narcotic."

The incident did not lead Tredger to believe the inspection was a waste of 
time.

"We want to educate our students to show them that drugs are unacceptable 
in a school setting. I think the dog being here will be enough of a wake up 
call for the kids."

He added that administration, school council and students will be 
discussing the idea of continuing inspections at the school.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom