Drug Sniffing Dogs Coming to Newport Schools

Middle and high schools in Newport Beach will soon have drug sniffing dogs roaming through campus, a district official announced Monday.

In a letter to Newport-Mesa Unified School District parents, Superintendent Fred Navarro said the district's board of trustees recently approved an agreement with Interquest Detection Canines, Inc. to help ensure safety at schools. Navarro said because Orange County schools have seen a "dramatic increase" in teenage drug use, the dogs will conduct random inspections at all middle and high schools district-wide.

"Interquest Detection Canines are trained to detect the presence of illicit drugs, alcohol, and gunpowder based items," Navarro said. "Campus buildings, parking lots and grounds will be randomly inspected for illegal items."

The detection canines, which will likely be golden or labrador retrievers, are an additional tool the district will use to keep schools safe and healthy learning environments.

What do you think about detection canines at middle and high schools in Newport Beach? Tell us in the comments.

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