MCSO has been performing Ok-9 demonstrations in faculties for years.
“You already know, how the canines discover medication, and it additionally consists of some patrol work the place anyone places a chunk swimsuit on–normally our staff – and the canine finds that dangerous man, and the youngsters actually take pleasure in that,” Maiorano mentioned.
With elevated substance abuse within the Gallup group, the sheriff’s workplace hopes to carry out drug walk-throughs in any respect 33 McKinley County Colleges. Maiorano mentioned they are going to largely be instructional for elementary children.
“As soon as you progress to the center college stage and highschool ranges, if there are reported problems with drug points there, then we will do extra enforcement motion,” he mentioned. “The college district had already discovered some drug parts inside the faculties, and the massive majority are small quantities of marijuana, marijuana vape pens.”
MCSO mentioned a vital step in preventing substance abuse is training. The sooner college students are taught in regards to the risks of medication and alcohol, the much less probably they’re to get into bother down the highway.
McKinley County is 5,500 sq. miles, and the sheriff’s workplace solely has three present Ok-9 handlers. MCSO advised KOB 4 it hopes to herald extra canines over the following 12 months.
“We must be ever watchful of these children who’re exhibiting indicators and signs of issues, points, drug abuse, alcohol use,” Maiorano mentioned. “We have to tackle that with anyone and see if we will get them assist and be an energetic a part of their lives, as a result of once more, these children are our future.”