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Follow our lead: Pioneering drug dogs' scheme proved an overwhelming' success

POLICE trials introducing drug dogs in Buckinghamshire schools have been hailed an overwhelming success but its future already looks uncertain.

Parents, teachers and pupils have come out strongly in favour of a drugs education and prevention scheme using drug dogs in five secondary schools in Amersham, Chesham and Beaconsfield.

It was launched by Thames Valley Police and its partnership organisations during the academic year 2003-2004.

But in spite of it being held up as a model for all Local Education Authorities in the country, funding issues could see schools in Buckinghamshire unable to continue the pioneering practices they have worked so hard to develop.

The schools involved in the trials were Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Dr Challoner's High School, Chesham Park Community College, Chesham High School, The Amersham School and The Beaconsfield School.

Speaking on behalf of the heads at a press conference, at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College in High Wycombe, on Wednesday, Dr Challoner's assistant head Stephanie Horrocks said it was their priority to make schools a "safe environment for the children" and for everyone who works there.

She said: "Anything we can do to make that happen we have got to do."

But Irene Perrin, head of Chesham Park Community College, said there could be problems continuing the scheme for schools in Buckinghamshire that were already in debt.

Mrs Perrin said: "There may be some schools in deficit who would find it difficult to continue with the drug dogs project. It would be a great pity if it all fell flat."

The next step for the partnership panel is to consider the findings of the John Grieve report and decide on a course of action.

The trial was funded by Thames Valley Police using drug dogs provided by an independent company at below commercial rates.

Following the success in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, county councils plan to begin negotiating trials for schools in their areas.

The dogs and their handlers were brought into the schools four times during the year, once for a drugs talk and presentation and three further times on unannounced visits to conduct searches in and around school buildings.

Pro-active dogs were used to see if drugs were hidden in classrooms and around school buildings while passive dogs were positioned at the school entrance.

No drugs were found but dogs were able to sniff out pupils who had come into contact with or taken drugs up to three days after their use. A small number of pupils were referred for professional help and support as a result of the trial.

A Buckinghamshire County Council spokesman said: "Police don't have the funds to resource it. It is mainly an education programme aimed at directing pupils to the right support. Because of how Government plans to target funds directly to schools, schools will decide if it is a priority. There may also be future Government funding initiatives that they can tap into although we are not aware of any at present."

9:51am Monday 25th April 2005

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