Parents Support Drug Dog Searches

Thanks to a decision by the Board of Education, students at Montville Township High School may see drug-sniffing dogs at unannounced intervals in the coming school year performing locker searches. Parent Teacher Council President Kathy Lindert is ready for it.

"I'm fine with it, totally fine with it," she said. "As a parent, I would want to know what's going on so I could get help for my child because kids won't always tell you. Sometimes, you just have to find out."

According to Board of Education President Dr. Karen Cortellino, the canine searches are designed to promote a safe, drug-free environment for students at the high school. The board made its decision to allow the searches at its Oct. 5 meeting but, according to Montville Township Police Capt. Edward Rosellini, the practice has been going on for years.

"It's an ongoing thing," he said. "The board renews it every year in conjunction with the county prosecutor's office. We send in a canine team at scheduled intervals but, of course, we don't make that schedule open to the public."

While Rosellini believes in the strength of the program, he would not categorize illegal drugs in the high school as a specifically prevalent problem for the township.

"I think we are in line with the rest of the county on this issue," he said. "Would I say that drugs in our schools isn't a problem? No, but I don't think its any more of an issue here than it is anywhere else."

Loni Lopuski, a mother of a MTHS student, echoed the captain's sentiments.

"In general, I don't think it's worse here than anywhere else," she said. "In general, I believe in more affluent areas, where there is more money, kids have more access to illegal drugs, but it doesn't seem to be worse here than anywhere else."

Parents by and large seem to be in support of the initiative, including Nancy Crossen, who said that she is in favor of anything that improves school safety.

"You hear a lot about illegal substances," she said. "I'm for it, and I think students would agree with the policy. I think it'll keep the few on their toes and, for the rest, what could there be to hide?

Lindert also feels that the students won't take issue with the policy.

"This has been going on for a while," she said. "They're used to it, they've seen it before. Unfortunately, this is our society."

Lindert said that, more precaution and focus on safety is welcome.

"This is just another way for us to let the kids know that we won't tolerate drugs in our schools," she said.