03/13/2003

By LINDA BRILL / KING 5 News

MUKILTEO, Wash. – Schools are unleashing a new way to fight drugs on campus., making drug-sniffing dogs a familiar sight in several school districts.

After the usual mad dash to class at Kamiak High School, a drug-sniffing dog goes to work.

Kempo, the 2-year-old Dutch Shepherd is the newest soldier in the war on school drugs.

 

KING Kempo goes to work on the lockes.

So far, dogs have uncovered two stashes of marijuana and white powder believed to be cocaine. The cops were called and the students are now in drug treatment.

How constitutional is this?

Police would need a search warrant to inspect lockers, but the courts have given schools more leeway, allowing schools the legal right to search.

“The lockers belong to Kamiak High School. They do not belong to the individual students,” said Dr. Jack Kniseley, vice principal.

Kempo is confined to lockers and public areas and is not allowed to sniff out individual students.

In Snohomish County, 9 of the 13 school districts use drug dogs. In Pierce County, Steilacoom High School uses dogs, and the Bethel and Eatonville districts are planning dog patrols.