The Yukon government is being asked to spend $250,000 over the next three years on Porter Creek Secondary School.

The school council has submitted the proposal to the territorial government in the hopes of establishing the Dogs for Drug Free Schools program in the school this fall, Bonnie Burns, a school council member, said in an interview Friday.

The program would see an individual hired to be the dog's handler with the two at the school on a full-time basis.

In early April, Medicine Hat (Alta.) Police Service Sgt. Randy Youngman visited the school with Fiddler, his Labrador Retriever, to discuss the program with school officials, parents, students and the general public.

In the program there, the police service has two school liaison officers who are now accompanied on the job at the community's high schools by Fiddler and another chocolate Labrador, Lilo.

The dogs, who were introduced to their schools at eight weeks old, are passively trained to detect drugs such as marijuana and crystal meth, among others.

While the dogs can detect drugs, Youngman said among the biggest benefits of the program are the barriers that have been broken down between students and police officers as well as the education the officers have been able to deliver.

Even during their short visit last month, Fiddler proved to be a hit with the students in Porter Creek, with many of the students approaching the dog who was accompanied by Youngman.

In Whitehorse, Burns noted the role of handler would likely be an entirely new role since the RCMP are unable to get involved in the program right now.

The handler would likely help out in various classes and take on a bit of a role as a drug and alcohol counsellor.

'We're pushing for it to happen this fall,' she said.

The $250,000 would pay for the new position over the three years and other expenses associated with the program, though some of the costs may be handled with help from the larger Whitehorse community.

'We already have a lot of the community committed,' Burns said. Verbal commitments have been made by some offering to pay for dog food, vet bills and other costs, she added.

The school council is proposing the program start out as a three-year project so the next territorial government can't cancel it. (An election hasn't been called but must be announced by early November.)

Members of the council met with MLAs in the area a couple of weeks ago to deliver the proposal.

'It's in (the government's) hands now,' said Burns.

No one from the government was available to comment on the request.