DRUG-SNIFFING DOG PAYS VISIT TO SCHOOLS

SCOTT CITY -- Dux, a drug-sniffing German shepherd paid an official and surprise visit to the Scott City schools Friday morning.

For about one and a half hours, Dux and his handler, Mike Ervin of Cape Girardeau, searched the student lockers in the high school and walked through the elementary school hallways, sniffing for the presence of illegal drugs.

Watching as Dux went through his search routine were Scott County Deputy Sheriff Tom Beardslee, Scott City Police Chief Danny Clubb, Scott City school Superintendent Douglas Barry, high school Principal Fred Graham and elementary school Principal Carl Rosenquist.

To maintain strict security on when Dux would arrive at the school, Berry said only he and Beardslee knew in advance what day and time the dog would arrive. "No one else, not even the school principals, knew when the dog would be here," said Berry.

The superintendent said students and their parents were advised in a Jan. 5 letter that the school would use a drug-sniffing dog to search for drugs on an unannounced basis.

The search for drugs began around 9:15 a.m. After it was over, Berry said no drugs were found. He said, "I'm very pleased no drugs were found in the school. I am very proud of our student body. However, I want to emphasize that does not mean that Dux will not make another unannounced search of the school later on."

Berry said the decision to bring in the drug dog was made by the Scott City school board. He said, "This is something we have wanted to do for some time. We had posted signs around the school last summer warning that this is a drug-free and gun-free area.

"We felt this commitment to be a drug-free and gun-free school requires more than lip service. By using the dog, we're letting the students, parents and everyone else, including drug dealers, know that we do want to have a drug-free school."

Berry said the decision to use the drug dog has won widespread support from the student body, school staff, parents, and school district patrons. He said, "Students in the Scott City Schools take tremendous pride in their school. The extra step we have taken today to discourage the presence and use of drugs in the school building should make them even more proud of their school.

"I hope when Dux makes future visits to our school, the results will be the same as today."