DRUG HUNT AT E'TOWN HIGH GRABS FIVE

Five Elizabethtown High School students face charges of possession of
marijuana or drug paraphernalia after the Kentucky State Police were
brought in to run drug-sniffing dogs through the school and grounds Friday.

The surprise search, conducted by the KSP's K-9 unit based out of
Frankfort, also turned up a crack pipe and a marijuana bag in a trash can.

An investigation is ongoing and police said more charges could be filed.

The students charged Friday were released to their parents and will appear
later in Hardin County juvenile court.

The operation stemmed from contact the authorities had earlier with Ruth
Sorace, the school's principal. She contacted the KSP a month ago after she
suspected there might be drugs in her school, Trooper John Nokes said.

"She needs to be commended," Nokes said. "A lot of people won't admit they
have a problem. I don't think there is a high school (in the country) that
doesn't have a drug problem."

Sorace said she does not want any of her students exposed to drugs in her
high school and plans to do everything in her power to stop that from
happening.

"If they are involved with drugs, then we don't want them on our campus or
in our hallways," Sorace said.

Six months ago, then-KSP Commissioner Patrick Simpson sent a letter to all
Kentucky schools telling them such searches were an option for any
principal suspecting a drug problem in their student population. A K-9
walkthrough has also been requested by T.K. Stone Middle School, LaRue
County High and LaRue County Middle, Nokes said.

Police planned to also take the dogs through T.K. Stone on Friday, but
didn't have time after they uncovered drugs at Elizabethtown High.

EHS students were called to the gymnasium for an assembly, which was
actually a diversionary tactic. After a brief address from Sorace
explaining the situation, students waited for about two hours while three
drug dogs searched student lockers and classrooms.

Students were then released back to their classrooms as the K-9 unit
searched the parking lot for any suspicious vehicles. If a dog signaled the
possible presence of drugs, the car was searched by police. Nokes said
students who were charged told him after the search they were surprised.

"They told me they thought it would be the end (of their drug involvement)
because now they know the police could come in at any time," Nokes said.

Elizabethtown Independent Schools Superintendent Paul Upchurch commended
the high school staff and the KSP for taking steps to stop drug use in the
community.

"It's always upsetting and devastating for the students and families
involved," Upchurch said. "At the same time, we don't want any of our kids
to ruin their lives. We want to be proactive and stop this problem."

Many schools in the Hardin County Schools district will probably see
similar searches in the future.

"If it's something that will help us in our endeavor to rid kids of drugs,
then we will gladly participate," said Richard Hughes, county schools
superintendent.

Nokes said he hopes to visit all schools in the area this year. He said the
visits leave a lasting impression with students.

"(The search) proved we can show up at any time," he said.