DOG USED FOR SCHOOL DRUG SEARCH

Timaru: A trained dog from a private company is being used by Timaru Boys
High School to search for drugs. Rector Kevin O'Sullivan said yesterday the
use of the Elite Dog Services was not in response to a particular incident
or allegation at the school but part of an ongoing policy to keep the
school drug free.

Mr O'Sullivan said the school had promised the community it would be a safe
place.

"Drug detection is part of that, as we know marijuana is used in the
community at large and we do not want it coming into the school."

Mr O'Sullivan said the pupils had been warned at assemblies that action was
to be taken, but they were not told when and in what form the action would
take.

"The best news for the school was nothing was found but if it had been the
appropriate action would have taken place."

He said the use of private companies was increasingly common.

The company's dog had searched the school and its boarding house.