Bear River High School students will have a furry, four-legged drug and alcohol deterrent roaming their campus this year.

Nevada Joint Union High School District officials approved a $13,500 contract with Interquest Detection Canine of Central Valley to bring a drug and alcohol-sniffing dog onto campuses within the district 27 times during the school year.

The funds are from state safety monies, said Trisha Dellis, assistant superintendent of Nevada Joint Union High School District.

Typically one dog will arrive unannounced with its handler. The canine will sniff lockers, parking lots and restrooms for alcohol, illegal drugs, gunpowder and prescription drugs.

Dellis said this is not the first time dogs will be on campus. She said in years past the dogs were successfully used as a deterrent. Dellis said for reasons unknown the program fell to the wayside for a few years. Now, they want to bring it back.

“We’re just looking to have another way to deter students from bringing drugs on campus – that’s our goal,” Dellis said. “If we don’t catch any kids, we’ll be thrilled.”

Debi DeShon, owner of Interquest, said a dog will sniff various areas of campus. She said dogs do not sniff students.

If and when the canine “alerts” on an area such as a locker, the student will be called out, asked if there is any reason why the dog would be interested in their locker.

If an illegal substance or one that is not allowed on campus is found, DeShon said discipline decisions are left up to school officials.

DeShon said the franchise company has contracts with about 50 school districts in Northern California, including one in Rocklin.

“The idea behind the program is being proactive,” DeShon said. “We’re trying to give students another reason not to bring those things to school.”

Dave Devogelaere, assistant school resource officer for Nevada Union High School, said he thinks the canine assistance is “long overdue.”

“Marijuana has become quite the bargaining chip for students because it’s so plentiful,” Devogelaere said. “A lot of students bring it to school, whether it be their mom and dad’s prescription or what, and use it to bargain for other types of illicit drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine or mushrooms.”

Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.