Pubdate: Sun, 07 Mar 2004
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Tim Whitnell

TWO TEENS CHARGED WITH MARIJUANA POSSESSION AFTER POLICE RECEIVE TIP

Two teenagers have been arrested and a total of four students
suspended from a local Catholic high school after Halton police made
arrests for drug possession. Two 15 year-old males, identified by
police as students at Notre Dame Secondary School, have been charged
with marijuana possession.

Based on tips from the public, police say they conducted surveillance
of Ireland Park -- located just south of the school property -- with
plainclothes and uniformed Burlington officers.

According to police several students were observed allegedly smoking
marijuana around 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Police say school administrators were notified and immediately
suspended two students for 20 days under the provincial government's
Safe Schools Act.

Two other Notre Dame students were given school suspensions of 15 days
each, say police, who praised school officials for taking prompt
punitive action.

A woman in the principal's office at Notre Dame referred the Post to
the Halton Catholic District School Board for comment on the matter.

"The board is committed to zero tolerance under the Safe Schools Act,"
said Chris Jewell, the Catholic board's administrator of communication
services.

He said the act requires that principals suspend students for not more
than 20 days for an infraction like the alleged incident at Ireland
Park.

Jewell noted that at the beginning of the school year students at all
seven Catholic high schools in Halton were reminded of the
expectations and consequences under the Safe Schools Act.

Halton police issued a similar warning after the Ireland Park
arrests.

"Halton Regional Police would like to remind the public that
possession of marijuana is an offence under the Controlled Drug
Substances Act.

The police will continue to take action in relation to illegal drug
use based on information received from the community," reads a Halton
police media release. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake