There are benefits and drawbacks to any decision a school makes. Adding a new policy is always a hard choice. However, some are necessary to maintain student health and safety. Drug dogs should perform random sweeps to reduce the presence of drugs and paraphernalia on campus.
Occasionally, college athletes or students are in the headlines for abusing drugs on campus. This may range from personal use to distribution amongst students.
KION channel 5 news reported on March 8 that six University of California Santa Cruz students were arrested during an alleged drug ring bust. It consisted of $100,000 worth of ecstasy, found in the homes of the 6 students.
Drug dogs would be a preventative measure for situations like this.
A 21-year-old UCLA student was murdered last September after a robbery gone wrong. She was first stabbed then burned in her apartment, which was one block from campus.
Investigators said it could have been linked to her recent prosecution on charges of possessing a variety of party drugs including meth and ecstasy.
Plain clothes officers with drug dogs should walk around campus to conduct random drug sweeps to help reduce the possibility of distribution or robbery.
Ecstasy is a common denominator in many cases but other drugs can be found on campus. Marijuana, Adderall, and dieting pills are three commonly used or distributed drugs.
Drug possession cases have happened a few times recently since the start of the school year. This could be reduced with the knowledge of random drug walks occurring.
Whether it’s an ounce of marijuana or a pound of cocaine, neither should be on campus. The school currently has a K9 unit and those dogs should be trained to check for drugs and follow through with drug sweeps.
Overdoses and violence toward students may be reduced by incorporating drug detecting dogs. Safety should be the biggest concern when it comes to drug reduction on campus.
In Florida at least three college football players at three different schools, have ended promising careers due to marijuana use.
Florida State University defensive back Greg Reid saw his dreams as a first round draft pick for the NFL dashed.
University of Florida defensive back J.C. Jackson would have been an elite playmaker for the Southeastern Conference had he avoided drugs.
University of Central Florida running back, Will Stanback should have helped carry his team’s offense but instead they had a dismal season.
As unfortunate as it may be, with drug dogs on campus these could have been caught quicker than they were.
Pierce students are more likely to be recent high school graduates with their first sense of freedom. Random drug sweeps done by K9 units could help them to become aware of the potential consequences related to using or distributing drugs on campus.
All students and athletes should feel safe and comfortable while at school. Drug dogs can be beneficial to providing a part of that safety.
