Pubdate: Fri, 09 May 2003
Source: Bergen Record (NJ)
Copyright: 2003 Bergen Record Corp.
Contact:  http://www.bergen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/44
Author: Amy Klein

POLICE SAY FIFTH-GRADER TRIED TO SELL POT

A Midland Park fifth-grade student was taken into custody after he tried to 
sell marijuana to a fourth-grader at Highland Elementary School, police 
said Thursday.

The 11-year-old boy, whose name was withheld because he is a juvenile, had 
a small amount of marijuana in his backpack and offered to sell it to the 
younger boy at the school, where both are students Wednesday morning, said 
Lt. John Casson.

"In my 35 years here, it's the youngest drug case I've seen," Casson said. 
"I'd like to think it's an isolated incident." A teacher who learned about 
the discussion told school administrators, who contacted police, said 
Principal Rick Triano.

The fifth-grader was taken into custody around 11 a.m. Wednesday and 
released to a parent, Casson said. Police still are investigating how the 
boy got the drugs.

Police expect to file juvenile complaints against the 11-year-old for 
possession of marijuana in Bergen County Family Court. The school, which 
comprises Grades 3-6, has a strict drug policy and suspended the boy for a 
week, Casson said.

Triano said he was "surprised, to say the least," by the incident. The 
principal said he visited classrooms after the child was removed from the 
school to speak to students about what had happened.

Meanwhile, community leaders Thursday said they were shocked to hear about 
the alleged drug deal in one of their elementary schools.

"I'm in my ninth year on the school board and I have four children in the 
school system and I'm not aware of anything like this happening before," 
said Russell Kamp. "I'm very surprised to hear about this."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens