The following information was submitted by Northborough Police Chief Mark Leahy
On Thursday morning, March 14, members of the Northborough Police Department, assisted by members of the Massachusetts State Police K-9 Unit and Southborough Police Departments will conduct a search of Algonquin Regional High School for illegal drugs. State Police narcotics detection canines will search the interior of the school and the vehicles parked in the school
parking lots.
The search is expected to begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 11 a.m. Any illegal drugs found will result in a criminal prosecution in addition to any school administrative actions.
This is the first use of drug dogs at Algonquin, and came after thoughtful conversations between police and school officials. This is a proactive measure to insure that no illegal drugs are present on our school campus.
On Monday, Feb. 11, Northborough Police Chief Mark K. Leahy visited Algonquin and spoke with students in all four grades.
The students were informed that a drug search would be forthcoming; that the students would be told the date and time of the search; that criminal prosecution would accompany any illegal drugs found; and that, subsequent to the announced search there would be future unscheduled searches as well. Chief Leahy explained to the students and staff that the goal was to remove illegal drugs from the school and its’ grounds, as part of a larger school safety
initiative. The Chief also explained that, if no illegal drugs were located, that he would consider the day a success.
“Our goal is to remove illegal drugs from the campus, period. We will not measure success in the number of arrests made. If we do not find any drugs
in the search, I’ll be pleased that we successfully conveyed our message to the students,” Chief Leahy said.
The Chief said that police realize they have difficulty controlling illegal drug use in a home basement, in the woods behind someone’s home, or in a car
driving around town, but stated that they will do everything they can to keep illegal drugs out of our schools and off school grounds.