THIS NOSE FOR HIRE

Furry Narc Will Sniff Out Your Teen's Stash - For A Price

Parents Who suspect their teenager is dabbling in drugs now have an
alternative to snooping through drawers and closets looking for a hidden
stash of dope.

They can hire a drug-sniffing dog to do it for them.

GH Protection Service started offering the unique service about a week ago,
and has already received several inquires, said private investigator Gary
Houldsworth.

The K-9 unit is composed of Bear, a one-year-old German shepherd who also
happens to be Houldsworth's family pet.

'Peace Of Mind'

The service gives parents "peace of mind" and could possibly stop a child's
bad habit before it gets worse, he added.

Parents can request a full sweep of the home, the child's bedroom and even
the family car. They also have the option of whether the raid is done in
the child's presence or when they are not at home.

The dog has been trained to detect the smell of marijuana, cocaine and
heroin. He can even sense the presence of drugs days after the substance
has been relocated.

Houldsworth, a father of two teenagers, has tested the dog in their bedrooms.

"And I'd like to say it has come back negative," he said laughing.

He said his kids didn't seem to mind the intrusion into their personal
space and generally support their dad's pet project.

When asked if his drug detection service infringes on a child's right to
privacy, Houldsworth pointed out that it is the parents' house and it's
their right to find out what their kid is up to.

"There is always the option of talking to the teenager first and resolving
it that way," said Houldsworth.

However, some parents shy away from confronting their child when they don't
have proof, said Cyndi Frendo, Bear's instructor.

"I think most people will only go to the extreme, or take this option if
they suspect a problem," she said.

Desperate Parenting

Hiring a drug-sniffing dog is a sign of desperate parenting, said Helen
Jones, a spokeswoman for The Association of Parent Support Groups in Ontario.

"In the long term it does nothing for the parent/child relationship and
that's really the only thing we have going for us," she said.

If anything, it could make an already tense relationship worse, Jones added.

Instead, parents should talk to their kids about drugs and plan ahead of
time what they will do if they find out the child is using narcotics.