ASHBURN, Va. — In a joint effort to combat youth overdoses in schools and in the community, Loudoun County entities will begin implementing random canine team searches on school grounds.
Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO), and the Leesburg Police Department (LPD) announced the partnership on Monday as part of multiple intervention and prevention strategies aimed at curbing drug use across the county. Just last year, LCPS reported 11 suspected student overdoses during the school year.
“Working closely with law enforcement and leveraging this added layer of prevention helps to keep our spaces safe. By teaming up, we're making sure our schools stay focused on creating a positive environment for every student,” said LCPS Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. “Together, we can ensure that our educational spaces remain sanctuaries for growth where our students and staff feel protected."
Canine team scans will happen randomly and without advance notice starting in March at high schools across the county, with families receiving information after each scan.
LCPS said search teams will consist of a dog, their handler, the School Resource Officer, and an administrator, who will walk through schools and may be seen in hallways, near lockers, or in classrooms where students are not present in an attempt to minimize disruption to classes.
They said school buildings will be placed into a ‘hold’ status during each search, which means students and staff are to remain in classrooms during a situation, and instruction and other regular activities will continue without interruption. Each scan will take approximately an hour and a half, about the amount of time of one class block.
According to LCPS, the canines that will be used in the searches are trained for detection only and not apprehension; therefore, they will not be used to search students. They added that these canines undergo rigorous training in obedience, scent detection, agility, and socialization preparing them to assist law enforcement in various situations.
The outcomes of any scan will not be disclosed, as any findings could potentially be integrated into a law enforcement investigation.
“The LCSO is working aggressively with LCPS to keep dangerous substances out of our schools and communities,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. “More student and community awareness of the danger, coupled with greater deterrence, are key to our long-term success, and I am hopeful that the use of canine scans will help.”
The canine scans are scheduled to continue throughout the spring, but LCPS stated they expect to maintain them into the 2024-2025 school year, considering feedback and the effectiveness of the scans in deterring drug presence in schools.
"This initiative underscores our shared commitment to fostering a secure learning environment where students can thrive,” said Leesburg Chief Thea Pirnat. “By working together, we are taking steps to deter drug activity and prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff."