Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jan 2007
Source: Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Archant Regional
Contact:  http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/141
Author: Peter Walsh

PRISON DRUG DOGS FACE SCHOOLS BAN

Sniffer dogs used to find drugs in police raids or at  prisons may be 
banned from school education visits amid  fears they may sniff out 
illegal substances on pupils  or teachers.

The move comes after a drugs dog from Norwich Prison  set alarm bells 
ringing during a routine educational  trip at Heartsease High School.

Norfolk County Council said it is worried a pupil or  teacher with 
traces of cannabis could be shamed and are  reviewing its policy.

Norfolk Police also said officers would not know what  to do if a dog 
found a pupil or teacher in possession  of drugs.

In 2004 Norfolk police withdrew their own drugs dogs  from schools 
because there were no clear guidelines and  the force's dogs were so 
popular demand could not be  met.

Richard Price, Norfolk Police drugs liaison officer,  said: "The kind 
of incident that could happen would put  police officers in a very 
awkward position and we would  seek to avoid that if possible.

"We are looking for clear guidelines and a protocol so  that every 
incidence would be covered."

Many headteachers believe the sessions are important to  teach 
children the dangers of drugs but the possibility  of an embarrassing 
incident is a concern to the county  council.

Norwich Prison drugs dogs have detected tens of  thousands of pounds 
worth of drugs in the county in  recent years and now its governor 
has been asked by the  council to stop sending the dogs into schools.

The Norfolk Criminal Justice Board said it has not made  a final 
decision to stop using drugs dogs on  educational visits.

Rosalie Monbiot, cabinet member for children's services  at Norfolk 
County Council, said the decision on whether  to have sniffer dogs in 
schools was entirely down to  the discretion of headteachers.

"It is up to the individual schools as to how they  operate their 
drug or alcohol polices," she said.  "Every school could have a 
slightly different policy -  I'm a governor of several different 
schools and we all  have our own drugs policies and sex education policies.

"It's not a bad thing to introduce them (dogs) in order  to raise 
awareness among children about drugs and the  dangers they can do - 
they are very effective at  sniffing out drugs and it sends out a 
very strong  message."

But Mrs Monbiot said she could also see the problems  that might 
arise if a dog was to sniff drugs on a child  while at a school.

"It would lead to that child being highlighted or  bullied and that's 
unfortunate on the child, but if  that school has worked it through 
and wants to have  sniffer dogs on its premises then it's up to the 
school," she said.

No one at the county council was available for comment  today.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine