Pubdate: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 Source: Columbus Dispatch (OH) Copyright: 2006 The Columbus Dispatch Contact: http://www.dispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/93 Author: Mary Beth Lane OFFICIALS BEEFING UP ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN School Searches To Rise In Fairfield County LANCASTER, Ohio -- Rico and Arno, the drug-sniffing dogs, will be on the job more, nosing around for marijuana and other contraband in school parking lots and student lockers in Fairfield County's eight school districts. That was the message yesterday from county Sheriff Dave Phalen as he publicized a drugcrackdown campaign that features billboards of Arno and a deputy with the message: "Drug Dealers Beware! " Seven of the billboards have gone up recently, and more are planned. "We think we have to be proactive. This poster should be a warning to them. They need to understand that we are not kidding," Phalen said at a news conference, standing at a table strewn with bagged marijuana, powdered cocaine, pipes and a Glock 9 mm handgun. The items were seized from 40 people who were charged with drug-related offenses during a sweep Oct. 27-28 along Rt. 33. The sweep coincided with the Halloween weekend festivities in Athens. The State Highway Patrol, with help from authorities in Fairfield and Hocking counties and their drug-sniffing dogs, used aircraft, extra troopers and its own dog to make traffic stops. Those charged might not be drug kingpins, but no matter. "We're not going to ignore the small stuff. All these drugs were purchased from someone," Phalen said, gesturing at the table. Local school superintendents said they welcome more dog patrols in their parking lots and buildings. A deputy and dog usually visit three or four times a year, they said, and having the second dog will allow for more-frequent and more-extensive inspections. A dog's nose is sensitive enough to detect marijuana or other contraband from outside a parked vehicle or a locker. If it does so, the student is summoned and made to open the vehicle or locker for inspection. "We have had some confiscations, but as much as anything, it's a deterrent," said Jon Saxton, principal of Amanda-Clearcreek High School. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman