As part of a safe-and-drug-free-schools initiative, the Aberdeen School District and local police agencies conducted a canine sweep of the halls, class rooms and locker rooms at Aberdeen High School on Monday.

The Aberdeen Police Department and the canine narcotics units from the Quinault Indian Nation, McCleary Police Department and the state Department of Corrections at Stafford Creek assisted the school, according to a release from the district.

“This activity was carefully planned so that the rights of staff and students were protected, while also demonstrating the district’s strong interest in ensuring a safe, drug-free environment for our students,” Superintendent Alicia Henderson said, expressing appreciation to the law enforcement officials.

The canine units “alerted” on a total of 12 backpacks from lockers and classrooms. The parents of those students will be contacted to let them know the results of the search. There were three students found to be in possession of contraband and they will be assessed on a case-by-case basis according to district policy, the district said.

“The Aberdeen Police Department is committed to assisting the Aberdeen School District with their pursuit of a drug-free environment,” Aberdeen Police Chief Steve Shumate said. He noted that each canine search unit was accompanied by an Aberdeen officer and an administrator for the school district.

“We care about the health and safety of our students,” Henderson said. “An emphasis on healthy choices should also include enforcement of a drug-free environment.”

At the start of second period, a little after 9, Principal Sherri Northington announced over the intercom that the school was in modified lockdown for the purpose of a Safe Schools / Drug Free Schools activity. She stressed it was not an emergency, that instruction was to continue, and that students were to remain inside their classrooms.

The canine units passed through all hallways and gym locker rooms. For classroom searches, students were asked to step into the hallway and leave their backpacks in the classroom. A canine unit then searched the classroom. Any backpacks that got an alert from the dogs were bagged and removed to the Community Room to be searched by district staff, the release said.

“I was very impressed by the professionalism of the officers who assisted us today and with the level of cooperation we received from our students,” Superintendent Henderson said.