Pubdate: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2014 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.utsandiego.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386 Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area. Author: Maureen Magee Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs) DRUG DOG'S VISITS TO CAMPUSES CRITICIZED Some Worry About Violation of Rights SAN DIEGO - San Diego Unified's new drug-detection dog has yet to find any trace of narcotics after having been deployed to at least 10 campuses in little over a month. But the growing presence of a police-accompanied canine in classrooms has raised questions about student rights, the policing of schools and how to effectively deter drug use. The district acquired Blitz, its first drug-detection dog, through a $60,000 grant from the San Diego Police Foundation in the spring. Under San Diego Unified policy, the dog can sniff backpacks in classrooms once students voluntarily vacate without their belongings. "What's the message this sends to students - you're all criminals who need policing?" said Ernie Villafranca, the parent of two daughters who attend international studies academy at San Diego High School, the site of two drug-sniffing visits from Blitz since school started Sept. 2. "When you teach kids that it's OK to sacrifice their personal rights, you are corrupting a future generation's appreciation of their civil liberties." Before Blitz joined the school police force, principals had to dip into their campus budgets to pay for canine drug-detection services that have been on retainer with the district since 2002. "We know that drugs do not belong at schools. This is one way we can help keep schools safer," said Ruben Littlejohn, chief of the district police force. "Our intention is not to criminalize every student - it will be dealt with on a case-by-case situation. If something is tagged by the dog, we have a conversation with the student to find out what is going on." So far, police have taken Blitz to sniff classrooms at the following high schools at the request of their principals: San Diego, Crawford, Point Loma, Serra, Hoover, Clairemont, Mission Bay, School of Creative and Performing Arts, Lincoln and University City. No drugs were detected. Other schools have booked visits with Blitz. The only high schools not to request the canine services so far are La Jolla, Patrick Henry, Mira Mesa, and Scripps Ranch high schools, Littlejohn said. The dog has also been starring in demonstration assemblies at middle and high schools. The ACLU and other groups oppose the use of drug-detection dogs, contending they are intimidating and are often ineffective at finding drugs or deterring students from using them, said Homayra Yusufi-Marin, education policy advocate for the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties. "We are watching this situation. Drug-sniffing dogs create an alienating and unfriendly environment. The experience can be humiliating for students," she said. Under San Diego Unified policy, "dog sniff searches may be performed on student lockers; unattended automobiles in school parking lots; and empty classrooms when students have voluntarily left the classroom and have voluntarily left personal belongings in the classroom." District police do not allow the dogs to sniff students. If the dog detects drugs or the scent of drugs on a backpack, a school official may search the bag and question the student. But Littlejohn said the goal is not to charge students with a crime, rather it is to educate and help them while also reinforcing anti-drug policies. The ACLU has stressed that students must leave the classroom and their belongings for drug searches voluntarily. "In terms of the law, students must be given their right to bring their things with them," Yusufi-Marin said. Some schools sent out automated phone messages to parents alerting them that the specially trained German shepherd would be sent to their children's school to sniff for drugs in randomly chosen classrooms. Some also sent unsigned letters that parents criticized because they did not provide details of the search protocols, information about student rights, or a place to direct questions. Sarah and Sharon Sullivan, both students at San Diego High's international studies academy, said they like the idea of keeping drugs off campus. But the sisters also said they worry about getting wrongfully singled out for drug possession in the event of a mistake. "On one hand, I don't mind because I don't have drugs," said Sharon, a freshman. "But what if I was put under the spotlight for something I didn't do?" Parents urged the district to seek their input about how to address drug-prevention education efforts, interventions and police presence on campus. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard