High school principals will be able to proactively invite Passive Alert Drug Detection (PADD) dogs on to school grounds under a new protocol signed off by the Education Department and South Australia Police (SAPOL).
The protocol was developed during 2018 by the Education Department and SAPOL, along with other stakeholders including the non-government school sector.
Under the protocol, which has been designed with student wellbeing and natural justice at its core, students will be assembled away from the buildings while the operation takes place.
It is expected that this provides opportunities for whole-school activities, including substance abuse education sessions, to take place.
The protocol includes a process for identifying schools where there may be a larger cohort of children and young people vulnerable to illicit drug use.
Education Minister John Gardner said the Government was taking action to stop the scourge of drugs in schools.
“The release of these protocols is an important step in meeting the Marshall Liberal Government’s election commitment to combat the sale and use of drugs in schools,” said Minister Gardner.
“We are taking strong action to protect our children from illicit substances which we know can interrupt learning, impair development and result in social, emotional, financial and health problems that continue into adulthood.
“This policy has a significant educational component, and a number of schools who have received visits by PADD dogs in the past have reported the experience to be a positive and educative process for the whole school community, whether or not drugs have been found.
“While the majority of South Australian students are not involved with these activities we are very serious about deterring young people from having any involvement with illegal drugs.”
Minister for Police Corey Wingard said the Government had a zero-tolerance attitude towards illicit drugs.
“Illegal drugs have no place in our society, and in particular no place anywhere near our vulnerable children,” said Minister Wingard.
“These new measures send a clear message to anybody who thinks they can bring drugs into our schools that they will be caught, and they will face the consequences.”
Assistant Commissioner Noel Bamford welcomed the development of the protocol to ensure that action of this type is carried out in an appropriate manner.
“Illicit drugs have no place in our schools,” he said.
“I would remind anyone considering taking illicit drugs onto any school property that the consequences of using drugs or being caught in possession of them can be serious and long lasting, including the possibility of criminal conviction.
“Police would urge anyone with information about the sale, possession or manufacture of illicit drugs to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and remind the community that they can provide information anonymously.”
