DOGS TO SNIFF OUT DRUGS IN JAIL

EDMONTON - Alberta is going to the dogs in an attempt to stamp out drugs in
its jails.

The province will pay the RCMP about $100,000 a year to use their trained
dogs to track down illegal drugs in provincial institutions.

"We've brought the service dogs into Alberta correctional facilities as
another tool to sniff out drugs and deter smuggling of illicit substances,"
said Solicitor General Heather Forsyth.

"It needs to be clear," she said. "Illegal drugs won't be tolerated in our
jails."

Forsyth sees adding the dog searches as another step in a get-tough policy
in Alberta jails.

The other changes include random drug tests, zero tolerance for
gang-related activities, internal disciplinary hearings even in cases where
there are no criminal charges, and loss of privileges in addition to other
punishments.

AUPE president and former jail guard Dan MacLennan says the province used
drug-sniffing dogs more than 20 years ago when he first started.

"I'd rather hear an announcement that they were dealing with gang issues at
the Edmonton Remand Centre," he said.