Sniffer Dogs in Scottish Schools

The Sunday Times here reports that schools across Scotland are to use sniffer dogs in random raids. The Scottish strategy here is clearly at odds with the recent findings of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs which states in its recent report that "drug testing and sniffer dogs should not be used in schools". The Council based their recommendation on vital issues such as the pupil-teacher relationship which could easily suffer a further deterioration with random drug-testing and sniffer dogs. This might lead to more truancy rather than fewer drugs. In their well-intentioned eagerness to reduce drug-taking amongst the young, Scottish politicians and teachers risk alienating rather than informing the young.