LEWISTON — To fight a trend of more students in school under the influence of marijuana, random searches by drug-sniffing police dogs are taking place in schools, Superintendent Bill Webster said.

The first canine searches were done at Lewiston middle and high schools Tuesday, Lewiston Police Department spokesman Lt. Mike McGonagle said.

“It went well. We had no issues; nothing was found,” McGonagle said. A dozen police dogs were used, he said. “Six at a time went into the school. They did a quick walk-through.”

The dogs were from the Lewiston Police Department, Maine State Police, Lisbon, Westbrook and other law enforcement agencies. The searches provide the dogs with training.

During Tuesday’s searches, students were in lockdown in classrooms because it was the first time the canine searches were held, and some students aren’t comfortable around dogs, Webster said.

“Our intent is not to catch someone, although most likely some may be caught,” Webster said. “Our intent is to keep drugs out of schools.” Canine searches in the school, the parking lots and on the grounds will be one of several ways to keep students safe, he said.

This year, more students have been found in possession of or under the influence of drugs at the high school, Webster said. The majority involved marijuana. Last year, the school saw 13 cases of students possessing or under the influence. This year, it has seen 20 cases, Webster said.

The numbers are small considering the high school has 1,300 students. However, the increase is significant, Webster said. “We’re not sure if this is the tip of the iceberg or we’re on top of it.”

Students possessing or under the influence in school face suspension and possible expulsion. Most often, students are prescribed suspension and counseling, Webster said. In a few cases, it’s been difficult to determine whether students sold or gave away brownies with marijuana, Webster said. He does know that students who’ve been disciplined come from homes where marijuana is used.

“One or more adults, not necessarily the parents, are users,” Webster said. “We do not want that happening at school.”

Webster said he wasn’t sure whether a push to legalize marijuana has meant more adults and students are using. On Nov. 5, Portland residents voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use. A group is pushing to legalize marijuana statewide in 2016.

Drug use in the schools and community will be talked about at a community forum on Jan. 23 at Lewiston High School. From 6:30 to 8 p.m., school personnel, law enforcement, parents and community members will share information.

“This is a community-wide issue,” Webster said. “We want parents and students to partner with us. We hope that all parents and guardians think about how their own behavior influences children in households. The negative impact on learning from drug use is well-documented. People under the influence are less able to learn, don’t retain what’s covered. It also sets a very poor example for students around them. We want students to come to school ready to learn, to feel safe.”

A letter explaining the start of canine searches and the Jan. 23 forum has been sent home to parents.

Drug-sniffing dogs are used in other school districts, including Lisbon. Superintendent Richard Green said they’ve had random searches for more than five years.

“It’s not announced,” Green said. “We haven’t found anything in schools, but we have found contraband in vehicles.” When the dogs smell something, they’re trained to sit and wait for their handler.

The dogs are trained to find drugs, including prescription drugs, and alcohol, Green said. The searches were requested by School Committee members who wanted to ensure Lisbon schools are drug-free, he said.

“We want to do everything we can to make sure we are proactive, that it will deter kids,” he said. “It’s just a safety concern.”

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