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.
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MAP posted-by: Richard