LAHAINA, Maui — A Maui high school is experiencing more drug offenses since a pilot program expired in which a drug-sniffing dog was brought on campus, a Maui County education official told the state Board of Education.

Lahainaluna High School authorities this year have recorded 19 drug confiscations at the school compared with just two during the same period last year, said Ron Okamura, school complex superintendent for Lahaina, Hana, Lana'i and Moloka'i.

Okamura said the random checks proved to be a deterrent to drugs and alcohol. He said students are now not afraid to bring drugs to school.

Other Maui County schools that participated in the pilot program last year were Lahaina Intermediate School and Lana'i High & Elementary School.

The school board last year voted to expand the program, and the Department of Education is asking for $300,000 from the Legislature to put drug-sniffing dogs in more schools.

The American Civil Liberties Union has said the use of drug-sniffing dogs violates students' right to privacy.

Interquest Detection Canines of Hawaii conducted the dog searches in the pilot project.