VENICE HIGH TO GET DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS

Campus will be first in Los Angeles school district to have canines sniff
backpacks, lockers and desks.

School board OKs one-year pilot program.

VENICE -- The Los Angeles school board has approved a plan to bring
drug-sniffing dogs into Venice High School to check students' backpacks,
lockers and desks. It is the first time canines will be used on campus in
the Los Angeles Unified School District.

"We are very pleased that we got the green light to proceed," said Venice
High Principal Bud Jacobs. He said he doesn't think the school has any more
of a drug problem than other schools, but that the dogs will be "a very
strong deterrent."

"What we are shooting for is zero presence of drugs," Jacobs said.

The $2,500 one-year pilot project approved Tuesday was spearheaded by
Venice High parent Claudia Border, who serves on the school's LEARN reform
committee. A dog and its handler will show up at school unannounced and
sniff out drugs and gunpowder in backpacks, desks, lockers and cars. The
dogs will not sniff students, who will leave the classroom before the dog
enters.

Jacobs said the school will hold several assemblies for students and
parents after school opens Sept. 8 to introduce the dogs.

Although Jacobs said he believes most students and parents support the
plan, at least one parent has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union
regarding the legality of bringing the canines on campus.

ACLU officials declined to take the case, but did say they might be willing
to get involved if they believe school officials are violating students'
civil rights in implementing the program.

Copyright 1998 Los Angeles Times.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson