Published Monday, 11 August, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence: Drug dogs inform and entertain at the Ekka
Members of the public are being given the chance to get up close and personal with Queensland prison drug detection dogs at this year’s Ekka.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence today encouraged Queenslanders to check out the free daily shows put on by the Passive Alert Drug Detection (PADD) dogs to witness their incredible skills first-hand.
Ms Spence said: “The Ekka is a great chance for these dogs to show off their talents as part of an informative and entertaining performance.
“PADD dogs are a key weapon in keeping drugs out of Queensland’s correctional centres.
“During these dog shows, Dog Squad handler Donnie Smith and his two-year-old Labrador Ebony will demonstrate how a PADD dog can detect even the smallest amount of illicit substances on a person.
“A 12-year veteran of corrections, Donnie joined the QCS Dog Squad in April this year and recently completed three months of training with Ebony.
“They have worked together at several correctional centres and also with Queensland Police during a drug search operation at Wolston Correctional Centre.”
Ms Spence said this year in south-east Queensland, PADD dogs have been involved in drug finds at Woodford, Borallon, Arthur Gorrie, and Brisbane Women’s correctional centres.
“Some prison visitors go to great lengths to disguise drugs by hiding them in other objects, their clothing and even on their bodies.
“Drugs wrapped in packages, hidden in tennis balls, and concealed in mail to prisoners have been found at several correctional centres this year thanks to vigilant staff.
“Electronic drug-testing equipment, intelligence gathering networks and state-of-the-art perimeter security are also used to prevent drugs entering correctional centres.
“Keeping drugs out of prison is an important part of prisoner rehabilitation and breaking the cycle of offending.
“The combination of technology and the good work of our staff and PADD dogs gives us the edge in drug detection.
“I invite members of the public to come to the show, and meet the dogs and their handlers who will be available to answer questions.”
The PADD dog show can be seen daily at 3pm until Friday, August 15 in the State Government Pavilion theatrette.
Media Contact: 3239 6172
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence today encouraged Queenslanders to check out the free daily shows put on by the Passive Alert Drug Detection (PADD) dogs to witness their incredible skills first-hand.
Ms Spence said: “The Ekka is a great chance for these dogs to show off their talents as part of an informative and entertaining performance.
“PADD dogs are a key weapon in keeping drugs out of Queensland’s correctional centres.
“During these dog shows, Dog Squad handler Donnie Smith and his two-year-old Labrador Ebony will demonstrate how a PADD dog can detect even the smallest amount of illicit substances on a person.
“A 12-year veteran of corrections, Donnie joined the QCS Dog Squad in April this year and recently completed three months of training with Ebony.
“They have worked together at several correctional centres and also with Queensland Police during a drug search operation at Wolston Correctional Centre.”
Ms Spence said this year in south-east Queensland, PADD dogs have been involved in drug finds at Woodford, Borallon, Arthur Gorrie, and Brisbane Women’s correctional centres.
“Some prison visitors go to great lengths to disguise drugs by hiding them in other objects, their clothing and even on their bodies.
“Drugs wrapped in packages, hidden in tennis balls, and concealed in mail to prisoners have been found at several correctional centres this year thanks to vigilant staff.
“Electronic drug-testing equipment, intelligence gathering networks and state-of-the-art perimeter security are also used to prevent drugs entering correctional centres.
“Keeping drugs out of prison is an important part of prisoner rehabilitation and breaking the cycle of offending.
“The combination of technology and the good work of our staff and PADD dogs gives us the edge in drug detection.
“I invite members of the public to come to the show, and meet the dogs and their handlers who will be available to answer questions.”
The PADD dog show can be seen daily at 3pm until Friday, August 15 in the State Government Pavilion theatrette.
Media Contact: 3239 6172