The controversial question of whether or not to bring drug dogs to South High has recently been discussed among students and teachers. 

Most of the time, the dog only searches the outside perimeter of the school, so students would not be aware of the drug dog if a search occurred at Parkway South. These searches could have several different possible outcomes for students and teachers that many people may not be aware of.

School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer James Ervin said,  “From the police side it is a huge public relations plus for the dogs and communities. The community sees the school is being proactive, and the dog gets great training. It’s a win-win for everybody.” 

The drug dog searches aren’t as common as one might think. Most of the time, if someone is suspected to have drugs on them at school a principal can conduct a search. The dogs usually aren’t included in a search with someone individually. 

“Searches with the dogs are usually conducted in the parking lot of the school. If a search is needed inside the school, we have done it where kids put their backpacks lining the hallways and the dog would walk through them,” Ervin said.

Teachers are usually a go-to person to talk to about drug-related issues, however, it is also good to have student opinions when speaking on a topic like this one. From the student perspective, most kids don’t anticipate a drug dog search at South High. However, some students do think this is a good idea.

“Yes, it would be good because it wouldn’t keep the issue of drugs a secret. This would greatly affect our school and the problem of drugs affects our school’s academic environment,” freshman Will Hanley said. 

Another student from South had similar viewpoints.

“It has never been advertised or mentioned by anyone that a K-9 is coming in, however, I think it is an issue at our school that could be helped by bringing the drug dog in. I think it could almost scare people into not bringing the drugs to school,” freshman Denis Jakovljevic said. 

On the other hand, some students don’t really have a strong opinion on this topic. 

“As a senior since I’ve been here a search has never happened, so I don’t it would make a big difference or be necessary.” said senior Caitlyn Wilson.

Although no one is expecting or aware of a search occurring at South in the near future, What would happen if there was a drug dog search and a student was caught with drugs? There are various punishments depending on the severity of the problem. 

According to Principal Angie Pappas-Muyco, “Students caught with drugs are eligible for a Superintendent’s level suspension, which could be from 11-180 days.”

Punishments for this offense are on a case-by-case basis and are not the same for everyone. It depends on if this was someone’s first offense or if this issue has occurred before. Additionally, police do not conduct drug searches for all the same reasons students would think. 

“We try to not be involved. We can intervene but it is mainly a school problem. Most of the time police officers’ relations to drugs are to educate students on drug-related issues. We aren’t here to search a bunch of kids,”  Irvin said.

Even though everyone has a different opinion on drug searches in schools, whether they are with a dog or not; the student body and administration share a common goal.

“Safety and security is a top priority. Most teachers would want searches to happen because safety is important,” Pappas-Muyco said.