Pubdate: Wed, 10 Mar 2004
Source: Macomb Daily, The (MI)
Copyright: 2004 The Macomb Daily
Contact:  http://www.macombdaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2253
Author: Nicki Hinchman, Fraser High SchoolMarch

DRUG DOGS FIRST VISIT RAISES CONCERNS AMONG STUDENTS

For the first time in school history, two drug-detection dogs and county 
law enforcement officers were brought into Fraser High School this school 
year. The search took approximately 45 minutes and covered all hallways, 
student locker areas, gym locker rooms, the band room and band lockers.

Throughout the search, teachers kept class doors closed and students had to 
remain in class until the search was completed.

Students had mixed reactions to the drug dogs' presence.

"I was really annoyed that I couldn't leave my classroom until the search 
was over," said senior Rachel Kaufman.

The idea was to help students realize good choices need to be made. 
Although the search was not intended to upset students, many were 
distressed over the situation.

"After the announcement, everyone in my class turned paranoid," said 
sophomore Stephanie Horodko.

The search resulted in five "positive" hits, which were found in freshman 
lockers. After researching the previous owner of the locker, it was 
apparent that the dogs detected a scent that was left over from last year.

The original plan, said principal Tom Heethuis, was to search the school 
before the first day of school, but the use of drug dogs wasn't approved in 
time.

"Next year we plan to bring the dogs in before the start of the school 
year," Heethuis said. "Then we will have a clean building to search."

Even thought adjustments will be made to ensure that the next search is 
more effective, not all students are certain that the search will be 
sufficient.

"I don't think the drug dogs will be effective in all cases," said senior 
Fred Harris. "The kid could be carrying the drugs on him."

Many feel that their personal space was invaded.

"The search is an invasion of people's privacy," said sophomore Emma 
Vasser. "No one was expecting this."

While many students objected to the search and claimed it was unnecessary, 
teachers seemed to anticipate the arrival of the dogs.

"I loved the idea of the drug dogs. It was way overdue," said social 
studies teacher Dave Kuppe. "A lot of good kids are being exposed to things 
they shouldn't be involved with."

Some people believe that the school's reputation was harmed by drug use and 
that changes are necessary.

"Fraser has a really bad reputation for drugs, so the search wasn't a bad 
idea," said science teacher Mike O'Brien. "The behavior you start now is 
the behavior you'll have in 10 years."

Some classrooms may have had a bit of chaos when the search was announced, 
but mostly curiosity struck the students.

"When the announcement was made, my students were intrigued with what was 
going on and why. After the first 20, 25 minutes after the announcement, 
the curiosity subsided and they wanted to be informed on the results," said 
Spanish teacher Carrie Danforth. "I completely support the search. I don't 
think any rights were infringed."

After all the controversy on whether the searches are necessary, some 
people believe that the school has an image problem regarding drug use.

"It is really pathetic," said junior Mark Virga. "The drug problem at 
Fraser is so out of control that we had to resort to dogs."
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