A Rotorua school is bringing in dogs to sniff out illegal drugs.
Western Heights High School plans to carry out random drug inspections with sniffer dogs as a proactive move to prevent drug use among students.
Western Heights principal Violet Pelham-Waerea told parents in a school newsletter the move was about making sure the school was drug-free.
"I must emphasise that in no way does Western Heights High School have any kind of drug problem. We are merely choosing to be proactive rather than reactive in our strategy to prevent drugs entering the school gates," it read.
Mrs Pelham-Waerea was reluctant to elaborate on the statements but said it was the school's duty and promise to parents to keep the environment and the students safe.
YouthLaw Tino Rangatiratanga Taitamariki is a community law centre for young people throughout New Zealand.
According to its website, some school boards of trustees agree with police to allow sniffer dog drug searches.
As long as the search is for drugs and is done with a search warrant, the search is legal.
Students appear to support the Western Heights move.
"I think it is a really good idea the dogs are coming into school. We have heard they are really friendly," an anonymous Year 11 student said.
A Year 12 student said "the only people [who] won't like the drug dogs coming here probably have something to hide".
The school has employed a private Auckland firm Elite Dog Services for the inspections. Managing director Paul Thomas said former police dog handlers and non-threatening dog breeds were used to sniff out drugs and explosives in schools, offices and factories.
"We have worked with more than 50 schools in New Zealand and we utilise breeds of dogs with a good working history and an excellent temperament," Mr Thomas said.
He said it was up to the clients to decide on any action if drugs were found.
The move is being supported by Rotorua Boys' High School principal Chris Grinter who said similar inspections have been done at his school.
He said police come into the school when they had a spare chance. It usually happened about twice a year but he would welcome police coming into the school more often.
Rotorua Girls' High School principal Annette Joyce said in the more than 10 years at the school they had not brought sniffer dogs into the school. She didn't think it was something that was needed.
John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh also did not think bringing sniffer dogs into his school was necessary. He said if anyone was caught with illegal substances they would be suspended.
School brings in drug dog
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