Pubdate: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 Source: Simcoe Reformer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. Contact: http://simcoereformer.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2386 Author: Ashley House Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs) POLICE REMAIN 'DOGGED' IN SEARCH OF DRUGS Court Ruling A Setback, But Won't Stop Crackdown Local police and high school officials say a Supreme Court decision ending random drug searches won't stop them from cracking down on drugs in schools. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Friday that random police dog drug searches won't hold up in court because they violate privacy rights. The ruling was spurred after a Sarnia student was charged in 2002 when a random drug dog search found him in possession of marijuana and mushrooms at school. Ensuing legal battles brought the case to the Supreme Court. The ruling means police cannot do a sweep of schools for drugs without prior, justifiable suspicion of a crime. "(The ruling) definitely interferes with our effort to keep drugs out of our schools," said Norfolk OPP Constable Mark Foster. "It was one of the easiest ways to detect drugs in our schools. But we have other tools." Foster said there's a possibility of more drug trafficking or possession on school property because of the ruling, but warned students the police force will continue to be diligent in keeping drugs out of schools. "Our high school officers and patrol units will continue to be observant and act on any tips or knowledge they have or get from students," Foster said. With enough information, police can still apply for a search warrant for a particular locker. Foster said the possibility of dogs coming in at any time kept students wary of bringing their stash to school. The intention of the random searches, Foster said, wasn't always to lay charges, but ultimately to create a drug-free school. Holy Trinity principal John Burroughs has had drug-sniffing dogs in his school. "But it was never at random," he said. "We always had reason to believe there were illegal substances in the school and the sad thing is, we were right." While Burroughs disagrees with the Surpreme Court ruling, he said the school will continue to crack down on drugs. "Now, we, ourselves become the drug dogs," he said, adding the school has a good informant system that has served him well. "There are a lot less drugs in the school than four years ago. Students know they can leave me an anonymous message." Helene High, principal at Simcoe Composite School, said she and her staff continue to reserve the right to search students' backpacks, lockers and jackets but they aren't looking to charge students under criminal law. "We just want the drugs out of here," she said. "If we have reason to believe they are in possession of illegal substances or weapons, we, as administrative staff, reserve the right to search them." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom