Washington state is implementing a new program to train dogs to detect fentanyl, a move supported by bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding the state’s fentanyl-detecting K-9 units. The program, spearheaded by the Department of Corrections, trains these dogs to assist in various settings, including prisons and local law enforcement agencies. The initiative follows the passage of House Bill 1635, which sets a framework for training and certification, and allocates $150,000 for the creation of a model program by the Criminal Justice Training Commission. This effort is driven by the pressing need to address the opioid crisis, as law enforcement agencies express a growing demand for these specialised K-9 units.

Despite the program’s intentions, concerns have been raised by criminal justice advocates regarding the use of drug-sniffing dogs. Critics argue that the presence of such dogs can be intrusive and traumatic, particularly for those being searched, and highlight the lack of conclusive research supporting the efficacy of K-9 units in detecting drugs. Furthermore, there is apprehension about potential biases that the dogs might inherit from their handlers, potentially leading to racial disparities in drug-related searches.

Source: OPB