Saint Louis to use drug-sniffing dogs on campus

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Education Writer

Saint Louis School, a private Catholic school in Kaimuki, will start using a drug-sniffing dog to detect the presence of drugs, alcohol and firearms on campus, the second private school in the past year on O'ahu to adopt the tactic to combat substance abuse.

Random searches of classrooms, lockers and automobiles in the school's parking lot could begin before the end of January in what school administrators described as a preventive measure.

Parents were mailed letters outlining the new policy, which was presented to students yesterday at a school assembly. Drug education programs were held at the school in November, and the idea of bringing a dog to campus was discussed.

Saint Louis has about 760 male students in the fifth through 12th grades. Interquest Detection Canines, which has a franchise on Maui, will conduct the random searches with Custer, a 2-year-old golden retriever.

"The canine detection program will help us achieve our Marianist mission," the Rev. Allen DeLong, president at Saint Louis, said in a statement. "If some of our students are in need of direction, we will be able to provide the necessary aid and guidance."

Rebecca Fernandes, director of marketing and public relations at Saint Louis, said administrators do not believe there is a drug problem at the school but are concerned about the statewide abuse of crystal methamphetamine, or ice.

"We don't want to be naive and say we absolutely don't have a problem," said Fernandes, who added that the program is not meant to be punitive to students.

Officials at Academy of the Pacific, another O'ahu private school, said last summer that they would use drug-sniffing dogs this school year. At the time, school officials said they believed they were the first school in the state to use the dogs regularly, and cited the spread of ice as a factor.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.