The Conservative People’s Party wants a state fund for drug dogs at Danish youth education institutions, and its justice spokesperson has now joined a search at Campus Odsherred in Asnæs.
DR reported on September 13, 2026 on a visit by the drug dog Herman to a classroom at Campus Odsherred. According to DR, the school has used a drug dog several times a year for the past three years.
Campus Odsherred houses a gymnasium, vocational programs and 10th grade classes. Rector Søren Aagesen Goth says the searches are meant to ensure students can attend school safely, without being offered opioids or other drugs.
Present at the search was Mai Mercado, justice spokesperson for Det Konservative Folkeparti. Her party proposed at its recent summer group meeting that youth education institutions should be able to apply for money for anti-drug measures, including drug dogs.
Mercado told DR that watching the handler and dog work, and the students’ reactions, strengthened her view on the proposal. She said the party wants the measure included in negotiations later this fall.
The talks concern the SSA-reserve, the pool of funds formerly known as Satspuljen. According to DR, the Conservatives want to set aside five million kroner for the effort in 2027.
One find in three years
DR reports that the searches at Campus Odsherred have produced a single result in three years. Rolling papers with traces of drugs were found, and the student involved immediately admitted it and entered treatment.
Students at the school take the visits calmly and recognize the dog, which they stop to pet. Per DR, the dog also attends school parties, standing at the entrance at the students’ own request, according to the rector.
Other schools decline
A round of calls made by DR shows that far from all youth education institutions on Zealand plan to use drug dogs. Trine Fogh Lauridsen, rector of Kalundborg Gymnasium, said her school does not feel any need for it.
Næstved Gymnasium has no plans for drug dog visits during school hours either. Vice rector Jon Hestbech said there are limits to how much control the school wants to exercise over students.
Hestbech added that the school starts from a position of trust in its students. He said drug dogs would not send the right signal.
The proposal has not been adopted. It is one of the items the Conservatives say they will bring to the SSA-reserve negotiations in the autumn of 2026.
Herman’s handler was not named in DR’s report. The broadcaster’s coverage was accompanied by photographs by Trine Warrer Juul from the search at Campus Odsherred.
