Pubdate: Sun, 29 Apr 2001
Source: The Star Democrat (MD)
Copyright: 2001 The Star Democrat
Contact:  http://www.stardem.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1233
Author: Travis Dunn     Staff Writer

DOGS COME UP EMPTY DURING SEARCH AT EHS

School Locked Down While Four Canines Look For Drugs, Guns.

EASTON - Easton High School was locked down for 90 minutes Friday morning 
in order for four drug- and firearmdetecting dogs to sniff lockers and 
vehicles for contraband, according to Bryon N. Johnston Jr., spokesman for 
the school.

Johnston called the search "a preventative measure" to look for drugs and 
guns on school property.

The search did not turn up anything, Johnston said, but the dogs made 
positive alerts on 64 lockers and 95 vehicles.

Nothing was found in the lockers, which were searched by school officials, 
he said.

No vehicles were searched, but students whose vehicles were indicated by 
the dogs had letters sent home to their parents.

"The dogs are trained on finding trace amounts, which may come from a 
person hanging around someone who had one of the substances, up to finding 
an actual substance," said Pete Cheston, one of the dog handlers.

The search, which began just before 8 a.m. Friday, did not disrupt morning 
classes, Johnston said; students were confined to their first period 
classrooms while the search was conducted.

"Unfortunately in this day and. age and in light of recent violent acts in 
schools nationwide, random searches like these are necessary step in trying 
to keep all school students and staff safe," said J. Sam Meek, Talbot 
County Superintendent of Schools, in a prepared press released.

The drug dogs belong to Detector Dogs Against Drugs and Explosives (DDADE), 
a private Virginia-based company, and are trained to detect eight different 
drugs and 21 types of explosives.

"The results of our walk through are completely private, there is NO 
involvement by law enforcement," according to DDADE's website 
(www.DDADE.com). "Educators are free to work with the responsible students 
and parents to seek appropriate help, medical attention, substance abuse 
counseling, and conflict mitigation.

"Upon contacting DDADE, your call and private information (name, address, 
telephone number, and nature of the call) become confidential information 
to maintain your privacy. A Certified DDADE Detector Dog Handler and Search 
Specialist is dispatched to your home or business. We will recommend times 
to minimize family or business disruption. Our vehicles are discreet and 
unmarked ...If anything is found, your options are explained to you and at 
your request, we will refer you to a qualified counselor or legal counsel 
who can guide you through the next critical stages ...While we will discuss 
your options with you, DDADE does not handle, dispose of, or take 
possession of any illegal substance or handgun.

"There is no written report of our findings ever issued," according to the 
website.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom