Pubdate: Wed, 20 Nov 2002
Source: Taber Times, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Taber Times
Contact:  http://www.mysouthernalberta.com/ttimes/home/index.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2262
Author: Heather Hutchinson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?217 (Drug-Free Zones)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DOGS SNIFF AROUND MYERS IN SEARCH OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

Max and Spot spent Thursday sniffing around W.R. Myers high school.

The two 18-month-old black labs weren't searching for doggie treats, they 
were on the lookout for drugs. The pair of pups are part of K9 Services 
Ltd., a private company which conducts drug searches using the specially 
trained pooches. The company, owned by Murray Armstrong and Ken Batty, use 
the dogs to sniff out various types of illegal drugs. Myers principal Mark 
Davidson said the school plans to use the dogs periodically throughout the 
year. The plan to use the dogs was published in the school's newspaper, 
though the timing of the visit wasn't.

"They were told they'd be here this year and fairly often," said Davidson.

Davidson said if any high school principal thinks his or her school doesn't 
have a problem, "they're either crazy or lying."

Davidson decided to use K9 Services because it's illegal to have police 
conduct searches of students' lockers. Searches using the K9 dogs can be 
conducted without probable cause. The students are kept in class while the 
searches are completed, so as not to confuse the dogs with any additional 
scents. Davidson said there hasn't been any complaints from students about 
the searches, noting a proposal to implement a dress code drew more 
negative response.

"Who's going to complain, the people with drugs? That would be a pretty 
dumb thing to do."

There have been two searches done so far this year, neither of which turned 
up anything, though Davidson said any student with a drug issue is of concern.

"If one student has drugs in the school, that's a problem."
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