Posted on: Thursday, July 3, 2003

EDITORIAL
Drug-sniffing dogs have their uses

It's regrettable that Hawai'i's drug problems have reached the point where drug-sniffing dogs are being brought onto campuses. But if we believe drugs don't belong in the schools — and they don't — we'd rather have a canine on the job than resort to random drug testing.

The Academy of the Pacific is the first school in Hawai'i to make drug-sniffing dogs a regular component of its zero-tolerance policy toward illegal substances. The school has hired Interquest Detection Canines of Hawai'i to bring Custer, a golden retriever trained to sniff out illegal drugs, alcohol and firearms, to the campus twice a month.

Overall, the canine drug patrol seems less intrusive than random drug testing because it tracks down only what is physically on the campus. Random drug testing can detect drug use in the past 90 days.

Bear in mind, though, that the program isn't foolproof. For example, a student might plant drugs in the locker, backpack or car of a foe, such as a student, teacher or administrator, on the day that Custer makes a visit.

Ideally, dog-sniffing programs would keep drugs off campuses. When drugs are found, the emphasis should be on steering users toward treatment, not punishment and ostracization.