Wednesday, April 10, 2002
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Wednesday, April 10, 2002 |
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Drug sweeps at Fayette schools yield little so far By JOHN
MUNFORD
Special K-9 units trained to detect illegal drugs are being used by the Fayette County Sheriff's Department to search local schools. So far, no drugs have been found in searches at Whitewater Middle School and Sandy Creek High School, said Maj. Bruce Jordan, director of investigations for the sheriff's department. The action is being taken at the request of school officials, Jordan said. "The schools requested that we take some action to try and curb any possible drug activity," Jordan said. The K-9 units have searched lockers and bookbags in addition to parking lot areas, Jordan said. "We try to do something a little bit different at each school," he added. Wayne Robinson, director of secondary school operations for the Fayette County Board of Education, said the goal is to provide a safe, drug-free environment for students. "Students are responsible for what's in their bookbags, lockers and cars," Robinson said. "We think we're sending a message when we bring in the drug-sniffing dogs. ... Hopefully, it will be a deterrent, a good check for illegal substances." Robinson said school officials don't feel the searches are intrusive, adding that students and parents are notified in the student conduct code that searches will be conducted. Some principals even sent letters home to parents warning them that searches for drugs and other contraband items would take place this year. No particular school has been targeted in the search process, Robinson said, adding that dogs have hit on several "suspected" drugs. The schools appreciate the effort of Fayette's law enforcement agencies on this and other school safety programs, Robinson noted.
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