DRUG DOGS IN SCHOOLS?

Surrey schools may soon be subject to random patrols by drug dogs,
particularly in the south, where teens dealing and possessing illegal drugs
is a growing concern.

The random dog patrol is one of the options being considered by Surrey's
recently formed drug-crime task force, a group of 27 experts and elected
officials seeking new ways to reduce substance abuse and its associated crime.

Surrey school Trustee Heather Stilwell told The Leader Monday the use of
dogs and random searches by school principals are both being considered as
elements to tackle the issue.

In addition, the school board is looking for a "no-tolerance" policy
whereby students caught with drugs are dealt with severely. The
district-wide curriculum is being retooled to include drug awareness
education at earlier grades.

"Ten years ago, I never would have dreamed we would have drug education in
Grades 4 though 7," Stilwell told Surrey council during a presentation on
Monday. "It breaks my heart."

Stilwell was one of several people addressing city council at a drug-crime
task force update. Other speakers included Surrey-North MP Chuck Cadman,
Surrey-Green Timbers MLA Brenda Locke and Dr. Roland Guasparini with the
Fraser Health Authority.

Most of the discussion surrounded fighting drug abuse in its early stages,
before kids drop out of school and hit the streets.

Indications are that drug abuse isn't isolated to traditional boundaries,
with much of it occurring in South Surrey schools. Stilwell couldn't say
which, if any, were notably bad.

"I don't know, I've just had it described as the south," Stilwell said.

She understands the use of drug dogs could be controversial, but believes
that once students get word that drug-sniffing canines are patrolling the
schools, dealers will take their business elsewhere.

RCMP Const. Mike Elston agrees.

School liaison for South Surrey, he says the issue may be no worse in his
area, but it's certainly no better.

"Whether their parents make a million dollars a year, or thirty grand a
year, it makes absolutely no difference," Elston says. "It's an issue
that's out there, that they (students) all want to know about."

However, the drug dog solution could be subject to legal challenge.

The task force will have to hire a private firm to provide dog patrols
because the RCMP require "probable cause" to search school lockers. The
private firm being considered is Port Coquitlam's Black Tower Security.

Stilwell says school board staff are examining what other legal
ramifications might exist.

She also understands that some people will be critical of the approach,
which she believes could be the first in Canada.

One of those critics is Murray Mollard, the executive director for B.C.
Civil Liberties Association, who says the dog patrol is short-sighted.

"It would extend that war mentality into the schools," Mollard says. "When
they bring the drug-sniffing dogs in, forget about this just being a
school-based rule, anyone caught with drugs, no matter how minor the
amount, is likely going to be prosecuted."

Rick Fabbro, principal of Elgin Park Secondary school, says he doesn't mind
the dog patrols as long as they're carried out with dignity and respect.

Const. Elston says anything that can reduce the amount of drug use in
schools must be considered.

"I won't ever guarantee we're going to eradicate the drug problem," Elston
says. "What we're trying to teach these kids is that the school is a place
of learning. It is not a place to fight, do drugs, drink, and do all those
destructive things."

Task force chair Dianne Watts says the drug dogs could be in use by the end
of the year.