YTG ASKED TO FUND DRUG DOG PROGRAM

The Yukon government is being asked to spend $250,000 over the next
three years on Porter Creek Secondary School.

The school council has submitted the proposal to the territorial
government in the hopes of establishing the Dogs for Drug Free Schools
program in the school this fall, Bonnie Burns, a school council
member, said in an interview Friday.

The program would see an individual hired to be the dog's handler with
the two at the school on a full-time basis.

In early April, Medicine Hat (Alta.) Police Service Sgt. Randy
Youngman visited the school with Fiddler, his Labrador Retriever, to
discuss the program with school officials, parents, students and the
general public.

In the program there, the police service has two school liaison
officers who are now accompanied on the job at the community's high
schools by Fiddler and another chocolate Labrador, Lilo.

The dogs, who were introduced to their schools at eight weeks old, are
passively trained to detect drugs such as marijuana and crystal meth,
among others.

While the dogs can detect drugs, Youngman said among the biggest
benefits of the program are the barriers that have been broken down
between students and police officers as well as the education the
officers have been able to deliver.

Even during their short visit last month, Fiddler proved to be a hit
with the students in Porter Creek, with many of the students
approaching the dog who was accompanied by Youngman.

In Whitehorse, Burns noted the role of handler would likely be an
entirely new role since the RCMP are unable to get involved in the
program right now.

The handler would likely help out in various classes and take on a bit
of a role as a drug and alcohol counsellor.

"We're pushing for it to happen this fall," she said.

The $250,000 would pay for the new position over the three years and
other expenses associated with the program, though some of the costs
may be handled with help from the larger Whitehorse community.

"We already have a lot of the community committed," Burns said. Verbal
commitments have been made by some offering to pay for dog food, vet
bills and other costs, she added.

The school council is proposing the program start out as a three-year
project so the next territorial government can't cancel it. (An
election hasn't been called but must be announced by early November.)

Members of the council met with MLAs in the area a couple of weeks ago
to deliver the proposal.

"It's in (the government's) hands now," said Burns.

No one from the government was available to comment on the request.