CRACKDOWN ON DRUGS WILL CONTINUE, DESPITE RULING ON SCHOOL SEARCHES:
POLICE

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 appealed charges against
him in 2004 when a random drug dog search found him in possession of
marijuana and mushrooms at school. 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 Const. 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 that 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 Catholic High School principal John Burroughs has had
drug-sniffing dogs in his school.

'never random'

"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 Supreme 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 because 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."

High said she respects the rights of her students, but if she or staff
members have knowledge of illegal activity, they will take action.