COSTA MESA NEWPORT BEACH : Plan for Drug-Sniffing Dogs Moves Ahead

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is moving ahead with a drug-deterrent program that would bring police dogs onto high school campuses to sniff out illegal substances in lockers and parked vehicles.

The Board of Education on Tuesday directed that the pilot program continue to be developed by the district’s Advisory Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Input on the plan’s details will be provided by parents, teachers and students.

The board is expected to take action on Oct. 11, before actually bringing the police dogs onto campuses.

Board President Edward H. Decker said the district is fortunate in that it does not have a serious drug problem in the schools. However, he said, “we are not so naive as to think the problem is nonexistent.”

“Four years ago the board adopted our zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol,” Decker said. “In the first year, the district disciplined a total of 40 kids under this policy. Last year, that number dropped to 28 districtwide. With the use of specially trained dogs, we hope to reduce disciplinary cases to zero.”

District officials are hoping that widespread awareness of the dog program will result in students deciding not to bring illegal substances onto school property.

The dogs would be provided by the Costa Mesa and/or Newport Beach police departments.