DRUG DOGS COULD HELP PRINCIPALS: SURREY CHAIRMAN

The new chairman of the Surrey School Board is leaning toward supporting
drug-sniffing dogs in Surrey schools.

Shawn Wilson said his "gut feeling is that principals need as many options
as possible."

"The school board takes this drug issue seriously," he said.

The board is awaiting a staff report on the proposal before taking a vote
in about six weeks.

Wilson said one problem is students' right to privacy. Privacy commissioner
David Loukidelis has told the board it must comply with B.C.'s Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

"The commissioner said he wanted a copy of our policy and we have no
problem with that," said Wilson.

If the board and privacy commissioner approve, a security firm which serves
on Surrey's drug-free task force will begin work.

Robert Jonatschick, president of Black Tower Security in Pitt Meadows, has
15 dogs available.

"The cost depends on the number of searches," he said. "It's $275 per
search, for two-dog teams and a videographer to tape the search.

"The dog would be accompanied by a teacher. If a locker is identified where
smell is emitting, RCMP would be called."

Surrey RCMP spokesman Tim Shields said Mounties can't spare dogs to check
schools on a regular basis.

Wilson said he knows the public is split on the subject.

"Some people say, 'Right on, go for it, send the dogs in once a month,' "
he said. "Others tell us, 'Don't you dare.' "

Wilson said frequent dog searches could become expensive.

He also admitted that courts would probably view the participation of
private security guards differently from the participation of regular police