DRUG-DOG SEARCHES MAY BE EXPANDED UNDER HAWAII POLICY

If Hawaii residents are like the state school board, there are likely
to be some pretty mixed opinions on a plan to let trained dogs sniff
students' lockers for contraband even if principals don't suspect
that weapons or drugs are on campus.

The policy shift, which requires Gov. Linda Lingle's signature, was
adopted Nov. 1 on a 7-5 vote by the board. Over the next few months,
the board, which governs the statewide school district, will gather
input from the public on its decision.

Existing rules allow school officials to permit the canines to
inspect common areas, such as cafeterias or hallways. Interest in
changing the rules came after a dog detected drugs at three schools
in Maui earlier this year through a pilot program. Gov. Lingle, a
Republican, has said she favors the change.

But concerns have been raised over whether officials would use the
power appropriately.

"There will have to be safeguards that limit this," said Greg
Knudsen, a spokesman for the state education department. "But when it
comes down to a matter of whether we need to remove drugs, alcohol,
or firearms from school campuses, then I think everyone is in agreement."

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, however, opposes the
plan. And others say they would rather the state focus on drug prevention.

Valerie Sonoda, the president of the Hawaii PTSA, said the
organization has been supportive of a canine-detection program, but
described the search and seizure of students' personal belongings
without cause as "barbaric."

A federal appeals court has not ruled on the issue. In a 1999 case, a
federal court ruled that reasonable suspicion is required in order to
sniff a student directly, although not for random searches of lockers or cars.

The ACLU also has been busy preparing a lawsuit against the state
over a provision in the contract with the teachers' union that
requires randomized drug testing.

And in a letter to Gov. Lingle last month, the ACLU demanded an end
to the drug testing of teachers. According to Graham Boyd, the
director of the ACLU's Drug Law Reform Project, the governor
responded saying she does not intend to stop the program.