BREW'S BAD NEWS FOR TEENS, DRUGS

Decatur Canine Cuts Substance Abuse on School Campuses

DECATUR - Just the sight of Brew, a cream-colored mixed-breed dog, and some
teenagers in Decatur schools become jittery.

And with good reason.

The drug-sniffing canine has already proved effective in reducing the use
of illegal drugs on high school and middle school campuses, said Phil
Hastings, school safety supervisor.

Recently Brew and his trainer, Canine Officer Mike Pettey, entered a
gymnasium as students were leaving and shortly after the four-legged
crime-fighter located a bag of marijuana beneath some bleachers. "It's
obvious that a student tossed the drugs under the bleachers when he saw
Brew," Hastings said.

During a stroll past cars in a parking lot, Brew detected the smell of
drugs. However, a search of the car failed to reveal any illegal drugs.

"Brew was still able to detect there had been drugs in the car," Hastings
added.

Drugs were found in cars parked at schools this year, and the students
faced a judge and an administrative expulsion.

Just having Brew visit the city's two high schools and three middle schools
has proved effective in reducing the use of drugs on campuses, Hastings said.

Until recently, Brew had been visiting the five schools only a few times
each school year. Now Brew and Pettey drop by each school at least once a
week. A school official is always present during a search.

Also, neither the officer nor the dog gets close to the students. Petting
is a no-no.

A favorite routine for Brew is to sniff lockers in a hallway, smelling the
bottom ones and leaping high to check the top ones while Pettey keeps a
firm grip on the harness.

The officer said Brew is certified to detect crack cocaine, marijuana and
methamphetamine.