WORRIED PARENTS TURNING TO NARCOTICS DOGS

Worried parents who suspect their children are using drugs are turning
increasingly to privately owned drug dogs to search their homes.

Former police dog handler Paul Thomas has the only private drug dog search
company in New Zealand and says demand from schools and parents has
recently increased dramatically.

His Elite Dog Services uses trained drug dogs and former policemen and
private investigators.

Often the firm is called in to search children's rooms while they are at
school. About half the searches yield drugs.

"A lot of parents are really concerned about the drug issue and how to
approach it, " Mr Thomas says.

About half the searches are done without the children's knowledge and when
no drugs are found, the family relationship is often enhanced because of
the increased level of trust.

A family home search costs between $300 and $500 and a school search costs
$700.

Mr Thomas says an increasing number of children are using drugs at school,
which has a "frightening" impact on staff, pupils and parents.

- - NZPA