Only one drug-sniffer dog sent into SA school this year, with six schools still waiting

Despite being a major election promise by the Liberals, the plan to send drug-sniffer dogs into SA schools is flagging, with just one visit in a year.

Schools requesting the assistance of drug-sniffer dogs to control illicit drugs have been unable to get the service despite police saying they have the resources ready to go.

Only one passive-alert drug-detection dog has gone through a South Australian school since the program was officially green lit in 2019 after being a prominent election promise.

Since then at least six schools have requested drug dogs patrol their corridors as part of larger drug awareness campaigns.

The Education Department has triaged more than half of those, deciding not to forward them to police for action.

During Budget estimates on Monday Education Minister John Gardner said police, schools and the Education Department were prioritising resources to COVID activities over the program.

However, in a statement to The Advertiser, South Australia Police said they had not refused any applications made to them and had the resources to deploy the dogs at any time.

Mr Gardner said that of the six applications since term four last year, two had been forwarded to the Police Commissioner.

Sgt Peter Crouch from SAPOL’s police dog operations unit with PD Chester, at Thebarton Police Barracks. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

He also said he could not rule out other schools considering a request for the rollout of drug- sniffer dogs.

“However these are only the schools we are aware of centrally, and there may be local discussions considering an operation or conversations with education directors,” he said.

“We have been conscious of SAPOL’s critical role in supporting the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020, and this has been a key consideration when schools have expressed interest in an operation.”

A police spokeswoman said the first request was actioned in November 2019 and second was due to take place this year but was postponed at the request of the Education Department.

“South Australia Police have not declined any requests made to carry out a (sniffer dog) operation and SAPOL has sufficient resources to be able to action any future requests that are made,” she said.

An Education Department spokesman said the dog operations did not target specific drugs but rather illicit substances in general.

“The Department for Education, schools and SAPOL have a number of operational priorities that may take precedence, particularly in light of the pandemic,” he said.

“Other pandemic factors, such as reducing the number of outside visitors on school sites, are also considered.”

Kira is one of three golden labs acquired by SAPOL from Melbourne Customs will soon become passive-alert drug-detection dogs in Adelaide.

The presence of drug-sniffer dogs in schools has been a key part of the State Government’s response to drug use.

Premier Steven Marshall pitched the idea in 2017 while he was still in Opposition.

As of October 2019, no schools had requested the service.

Mr Gardner said a $2.9m drug education program had been used to roll out awareness programs in schools.

Opposition education spokesman Blair Boyer criticised the blaming of police resourcing and priorities for a decision made by the Education Department.

“Schools were always able to work with police and get sniffer dogs if needed,” he said.

“The Liberals’ policy to have random inspections has failed spectacularly, and now it seems that they can’t even get sniffer dogs in schools if the principal asks for them.”

Chief executive of the South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services Michael White said the benefits of drug sniffer dogs had not been empirically established.

“There is very little in the way of evaluation of the efficacy of sniffer dogs and evidence from NSW is that they increase risk of harm,” he said.

“There is a risk that engaging police in such a way will lead to disengagement by students in the education system.

“Intervention needs to be clearly evidence-based.”

The dogs can be deployed only in public secondary schools or combined schools with a separate area for secondary students.

School principals can request the service through the Education Department.