Pot times July 15, 2005
School Boards Set Up Canine Protocol As Anti-Drug Effort
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1114/a10.htmlNewshawk: Herb
Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jul 2005 SCHOOL BOARDS SET UP CANINE PROTOCOL AS ANTI-DRUG EFFORT
Source: Timmins Times (CN ON)
Contact:
times@ntl.sympatico.ca
Website: http://www.timminstimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2032
Author: Heather Duhn
Keeping drugs out of schools has become a collaborative effort among the school
boards and police services.
Keeping drugs out of schools has become a collaborative effort among the school
boards and police services.
Recently, the Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivieres, the
Conseil scolaire public du Nord-est de l'Ontario, the District School Board
Ontario North East and the Northeastern Catholic District School Board, along
with the Temiskaming Shores Police Service, the Timmins Police Service and the
Ontario Provincial Police -- Northeast region, signed a protocol for the use of
canines in area schools. This is a result of many consultations between
the above-mentioned parties.
The protocol has been initiated as part of a proactive program designed to
assist local school officials in their endeavours to eliminate illicit drugs
from the school system. Statistics have shown an ever-increasing
prevalence of illegal substances used by young persons in recent years in
educational facilities.
The school boards have enlisted the help of the police services and the use of
their passive canine; a Labrador Retriever specially trained to search people
and lockers.
"Labs are non-aggressive dogs, and in these situations, we don't need the
aggressiveness of a German Shepherd," said Constable Rob Mondor of the OPP
Canine Unit in Sudbury. "There has always been narcotics in schools,
and the canine is an extra tool to help fight that."
The protocol allows for school officials to access an investigative tool through
the police and, by working in partnership with the police, establish a school
climate conducive to preventing and combating students' drug use and abuse.
The dogs sniff the classrooms, backpacks and in the vicinity of students.
These sniffs have been determined to be non-intrusive, and dogs will enter the
schools by invitation only.
If any inappropriate or illegal substances are located during a sniff by the
canine unit, appropriate internal school consequences will be applied. Any
illegal substance located will be turned over to the police for destruction, and
charges may be laid.
Supervisory officer for CSCDGR Philippe Boissonneault said letters will be sent
to parents advising that passive dogs can enter the schools at any time and
signs will be posted throughout the schools to advise students.
This will come into effect on August 29, 2005, when students return to the
classroom.