District Brings In Police, Drug-Sniffing K9s For Random Search at PCHS: No Drugs Found

Students at Port Chester High School arrived to a surprising scene this morning as state troopers swept the halls and lockers with drug-sniffing canine units.

When the troopers and dogs left, school officials were glad the search passed without incident. The school-wide search turned up "no illegal substances," according to the district.

Wednesday morning's sweep was part of "improved surveillance and enforcement" steps by the district, and the police presence was not prompted by complaints or allegations of illegal drug use, according to a statement released by the district.

It's the second time state police have been called in to Port Chester High School for a drug sweep: Last year, troopers showed up for a random search on April 28. No drugs were found.

"The fact that the canine unit did not find anything today gives me hope that people are listening and that students are making choices not to bring illicit drugs onto campus," high school Principal Mitchell Combs said in a statement.

Last year's search prompted some confusion, as the school was placed into lock-down and parents began receiving text messages from students who were wondering what was going on.

This time around, the district sent letters to parents. Those letters, which were brought home by students today, explained the search and wider efforts on the part of faculty to combat drug use and "risky behavior."

"We want to make sure students realize this is a zero-tolerance environment and that we are going to take steps to make sure that drugs cannot be brought onto this campus," Combs wrote in the letter, which was distributed in both English and Spanish.

The letter noted the ongoing campaign isn't limited to anti-drug messages -- it mentions educational efforts to prevent alcohol abuse, "sexting," bullying and other forms of violence.

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