subject: When Kids Want Drug Dogs In School [print this page] A Connecticut School recently voted to keep drug sniffing dogs out of the classroom, against the wishes of some students.
The Amity school board was deciding if drug dogs in schools would be allowed around students. The dogs are already allowed to sniff lockers, backpacks, and vehicles as long as children are not present. In order for the measure to pass the board needed a majority and that did not happen. Therefore the policy will remain as is.
What is interesting about this case is the students thoughts on the matter. One student posted a poll on the schools website asking kids to vote for or against the measure. Surprisingly some students voted that they would allow the dogs in the halls if it would prevent problems with drugs.
Private Drug Search in Schools
While drug sniffing dogs in school are still a controversial measure, it is not an issue going away. More schools are reaching out to private drug dog detection service to handle their investigations.
One district in California is mourning the loss of its program. The Kern district in Bakersfield had a program that involved a drug sniffing dog on loan from the local police force. The lack of availability of the dog is one reason that lead to the phasing out of the program. Now a former board member is pushing for a private drug detection company to come in to support a zero-tolerance policy.
What are the Issues with School Search
There are two sides to this debate:
1. Having a drug dog enforces consequences and supports a drug free policy
2. It violates the students privacy and is a militant measure
We cannot disregard either of these points. Parents want to protect their children, but not by losing their trust. Ultimately, one must weigh the risks and make a choice that is in the best interest of the student body.
If you want to learn more about private drug detection, please drop us a line on our contact page. We can talk you through what happens on a search and clear up any misconceptions. We want to help you make the right decision for your school.
by: Richard Casamento
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