Hoover High Conducts Second Drug Search in Two Weeks

Hoover High School conducted its second drug search in two weeks, and school officials are pleased to report that once again, no drugs were found.

The most recent drug search occurred at 9 a.m. Wednesday. North Canton police, along with North Canton school administration, conducted a random sweep of a large area of Hoover High while the school was placed under lockdown.

Hoover High Prinicipal Tony Pallija said the drug search in January of this year, which involved 10 dogs and a search of the entire building, revealed no drugs; nor did the drug search Dec. 7.

Wednesday's search also yielded nothing.

"There were no drugs found, no drug paraphernalia and no real scent of drugs in the building, which is a tribute to the kids," Pallija said.

He said the drug searches are conducted a little differently than they were last school year.

"This year, we're just targeting different hallways, and no one knows what hallway we're going to do," he said. "Today there was only one dog. And the kids don't know where they're searching because everyone's locked down. They don't know where we are, where we stop or how far we go."

Under lockdown, staff members are able to carry on with their regular classroom activities, but no students are permitted to be released from their classrooms.

Any drugs found would have been confiscated and the person responsible for it would have been dealt with administratively and could face criminal prosecution. 

Pallija said having two drug searches back to back keeps students on their toes. Because they just underwent a drug search Dec. 7, students might think it will be months before another one comes around.

School officials do not tell students or staff when drug searches will happen. They do, however, continually tell students that drug searches are coming.

Pallija had told students after January's drug search that a search of students' cars would be next. That has yet to happen, but Pallija said students shouldn't be surprised if it does in the future.

Pallija said students are recognizing how serious it is to bring drugs into the schools, and the drug searches are reinforcing that.

"I think they understand there’s a no tolerance policy," he said. "They don’t want to be expelled. They like it here and though they may be tempted by it, they know we’re serious about keeping drugs out of Hoover High School."

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