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.