Pubdate: Thu, 21 Apr 2005
Source: Mirror, The (UK)
Copyright: 2005 The Mirror
Contact:  http://www.mirror.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1161
Author: Jeff Edwards
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG DOG CALL FOR ALL SCHOOLS

ALL schools should consider using sniffer dogs to stamp out drug-taking 
among pupils, an expert said yesterday.

The call followed a study of a pilot scheme using sniffer dogs in six 
schools which won backing from staff, parents and pupils.

Professor Allyson MacVean of the John Grieve Centre for Policing and 
Community Safety, said she hoped to see the initiative taken up across the 
country following the Buckinghamshire trial.

No drugs were found, but Pc Paul Sorensen, whose idea it was, said: "Thames 
Valley Police weren't actually doing this to see how many young people we 
could catch."

The thinking had been to view pupils as "victims rather than offenders".

The study found backing for the scheme from 82 per cent of pupils and 89 
per cent of parents.

Prof MacVean said: "I would like to see it implemented in all schools, it 
would be part of the personal, social and drugs education they do."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom