By Heather Hintze

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. -- The South Lane School Board has given the okay for Cottage Grove High School to bring in drug dogs to search the campus.

Principal Donn Pollard says, like every high school in the nation, Cottage Grove has its share of drug and alcohol use on campus. After talking with staff and the Cottage Grove Police, Pollard decided there was enough of a problem to warrant bringing a drug dog to the school.  "My first wish is that kids wouldn't drink and use. And if that's not going to happen, the second thing I'd like is that they not do it here because it doesn't have a place at Cottage Grove High School," says Pollard.

The school e-mailed parents Tuesday to let them know there would be a search in the upcoming weeks. The principal believes alcohol and drugs like marijuana are the most prevalent at school, but he says heroine and prescription drug use is also on the rise. He says the ultimate goal in using drug dogs is to keep students out of harm's way.  "I'm more interested in keeping kids safe and making sure they're not harmfully involved in drugs or alcohol because I've seen it happen way too many times to way too many kids," says Pollard.

Pollard says he's unsure exactly how the process will go, but that the dogs will probably search the parking lot and locker areas.

The initial letter was to notify parents and students that a search will be happening in the next few weeks, but does not give a specific date.  The principal says when the school decides to bring the dogs in again, there will be no notification.