POLICE REMAIN 'DOGGED' IN SEARCH OF DRUGS

Court Ruling A Setback, But Won't Stop Crackdown

Local police and high school officials say a Supreme Court decision
ending random drug searches won't stop them from cracking down on
drugs in schools.

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Friday that random police dog
drug searches won't hold up in court because they violate privacy
rights. The ruling was spurred after a Sarnia student was charged in
2002 when a random drug dog search found him in possession of
marijuana and mushrooms at school. Ensuing legal battles brought the
case to the Supreme Court. The ruling means police cannot do a sweep
of schools for drugs without prior, justifiable suspicion of a crime.

"(The ruling) definitely interferes with our effort to keep drugs out
of our schools," said Norfolk OPP Constable Mark Foster. "It was one
of the easiest ways to detect drugs in our schools. But we have other tools."

Foster said there's a possibility of more drug trafficking or
possession on school property because of the ruling, but warned
students the police force will continue to be diligent in keeping
drugs out of schools.

"Our high school officers and patrol units will continue to be
observant and act on any tips or knowledge they have or get from
students," Foster said.

With enough information, police can still apply for a search warrant
for a particular locker.

Foster said the possibility of dogs coming in at any time kept
students wary of bringing their stash to school. The intention of the
random searches, Foster said, wasn't always to lay charges, but
ultimately to create a drug-free school.

Holy Trinity principal John Burroughs has had drug-sniffing dogs in his school.

"But it was never at random," he said. "We always had reason to
believe there were illegal substances in the school and the sad thing
is, we were right."

While Burroughs disagrees with the Surpreme Court ruling, he said the
school will continue to crack down on drugs.

"Now, we, ourselves become the drug dogs," he said, adding the school
has a good informant system that has served him well. "There are a
lot less drugs in the school than four years ago. Students know they
can leave me an anonymous message."

Helene High, principal at Simcoe Composite School, said she and her
staff continue to reserve the right to search students' backpacks,
lockers and jackets but they aren't looking to charge students under
criminal law.

"We just want the drugs out of here," she said.

"If we have reason to believe they are in possession of illegal
substances or weapons, we, as administrative staff, reserve the right
to search them."