DRUG SWEEPS TARGET SCHOOLS

For the first time in its history, Hammond school district is conducting
random drug searches at various schools.

HAMMOND -- Students filing out of Hammond High School on Monday were
greeted by several police dogs ready to sniff around the school for illegal
drugs.

Once the students were out of the building, the dogs -- tails wagging and
barking with excitement -- dragged the officers at the other end of the
leashes into the building as they began their mission to find drugs.

For the first time in the school district's history, random drug sweeps are
being conducted at various schools in an effort to ensure parents that
Hammond is a safe place to learn.

Gary Jones, assistant superintendent, said the drug sweeps are part of his
job's responsibility and a way to dispel any rumors about drug use in
Hammond schools.

"We've heard people say all these rumors," Jones said as he watched the
canine units search cars parked outside the school. "Either we're going to
prove or disprove those rumors with these drug sweeps."

There were no drugs found during the sweep. A search at Gavit High School
two weeks ago was the first of several surprise searches planned throughout
the school year. The search at Gavit also did not produce any drugs,
although dogs alerted police officers on seven occasions to the possibility
of the scent of drugs.

"Nothing was found," Jones said. "For a school of about 1,500, I thought
that was pretty good."

Lt. Christopher Matanovich, public information officer for the Hammond
Police Department, said the sweep is a way to ease the community's fears.

"It conveys a strong message to students who bring in illegal drugs," he
said. "It puts parents at ease and makes them feel that the kids are in a
safe environment."

Police officers guide the dogs to sniff lockers during the sweep. Canine
units from Hammond, Whiting and Calumet City participated in the search.
According to Jones, if drugs or paraphernalia are found in any locker,
school officials would handle the disciplinary action.

"They are disciplined on part of the school administration," Jones said.
"It is handled in a normal disciplinary pattern."

Hammond High School Principal Cassel White said the drug search was
important to the school.

"It's always a good idea to know the climate and atmosphere of the school,"
White said. "Drugs are a problem at any school, even if it is only one
student. We have a zero tolerance on drugs. If any student is caught, they
can be put up for expulsion."

Jones said the search was done after school to ensure due process.

"We don't believe that everybody is guilty," Jones said. "The problem with
mass searches is that we're trying to uphold American principles that
you're innocent until proven guilty."

Some students felt there was no due process.

"I think it is uncalled for," said senior Joe Arquette. "Some of the
students here will be getting good grades and get caught up in it. ... Even
if they don't find drugs, they might find something else, stuff they're not
looking for."

David Lucerno, a senior, and a group of his Hispanic and African-American
friends, said the searches unfairly target minorities.

"They're invading our education," Lucerno said. "We come here to go to
school, not to be harassed for drugs."

Still, Jones said the sweeps are for the benefit of the schools.

"We're exercising due diligence and letting people know our schools are
safe," he said. "Sometimes our schools get a bad rap."