Plan for Drug-Sniffing Dogs to Visit School OKd

The Los Angeles Board of Education has approved a plan to bring drug-sniffing dogs into Venice High School to check students’ backpacks, lockers and desks for contraband.

The one-year pilot program, approved Tuesday, marks the first time drug-detecting canines will be used on a Los Angeles Unified School District campus.

Venice High Principal Bud Jacobs said he does not think the school has any more of a drug problem than other schools, but that the dogs will be “a very strong deterrent.”

“What we are shooting for is zero presence of drugs,” Jacobs said. The one-year program will cost about $2,500, he said.

A dog will arrive unannounced with its handler to smell for drugs and gunpowder in backpacks, desks, lockers and cars. Dogs will not sniff students, who must leave classrooms before the dog enters.

Jacobs said the administration will hold assemblies to introduce the dogs after school begins Sept. 8.

Jacobs said he thinks most students and parents support the program, but at least one parent contacted the American Civil Liberties Union regarding the legality of bringing the dogs on campus.

ACLU officials declined to take the case, but said they might be willing to get involved if they believe school officials are violating students’ civil rights in implementing the program.