Eight Foxboro High School students were suspended Friday following the second of two police drug sweeps at area high schools.

Police used a dozen drug-sniffing dogs which detected small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, but no one was arrested. Eight students were issued tickets.

A similar "lockdown exercise" was held at King Philip Regional High School last week, but school committee members weren't notified of any suspensions or drug violations, said regional school committee member Patrick Francomano.

Massachusetts voters last November made possession of less than one ounce of pot a civil rather than criminal infraction.

But possession of any drugs on school grounds violates school rules, said Superintendent Christopher Martes. Contraband was found in two lockers and six cars, he said.

FHS principal Jeffrey Theodoss on Friday sent out a letter notifying parents and guardians that the Foxboro police and fire departments conducted a "practice, stay-in-place exercise."

The board has adopted an "zero-tolerance" policy toward underage drinking and other forms of drug abuse. The idea for Friday's operation came from the school administration, and was planned over the last month, O'Leary said.

Martes said the stay-in-place method enables students to continue doing their work in the classrooms.

FHS received regional attention earlier this month for its plan to use a breathalyzer on a limited basis as a "deterrent" at school sponsored events - starting with the homecoming dance last Saturday night - and to have the device available in schools as well.

The dance went off without incident, Delaney said, and administrators did not use the device that night.

Sun Chronicle staff writers Bill Stedman and Rick Foster contributed to this story.