Pubdate: Thu, 01 Apr 2004
Source: Royal Gazette, The (Bermuda)
Copyright: 2004 The Royal Gazette Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.theroyalgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2103
Author: Stephen Breen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

WHITNEY PUPIL SUSPENDED IN DRUGS SCANDAL

The principal of Whitney Institute said last night he believed adult drug 
dealers were targeting youngsters at the school after four students were 
caught with marijuana.

The boys were found with what principal Freddie Evans described as 
"significant" amounts of the drug on Monday morning. VSB said last night 
that it was more than $400 of marijuana.

Mr. Evans would not say if the boys were suspected of selling the drugs to 
others, but said he believed adults were manipulating the students.

The 12-year-olds have been suspended and the school has called in the Police.

A parents' meeting will be held tonight to discuss the dangers of drugs and 
the need to be on the look-out for dealers.

Last night, Mr. Evans told The Royal Gazette: "I have reason to believe 
that there has been some outside involvement from some adults and we have 
asked the Police to investigate where this has emanated from.

"This is not normal behaviour for a middle school. The amounts are 
significant enough for me to believe that there was adult involvement.

"These young men are good boys who made rotten choices and it is my belief 
that their choices were manipulated by an adult.

"Someone has decided to prey upon these young people to try to get them 
involved and their lack of sophistication will hopefully help us find out 
what happened."

Whitney Institute had never seen an incident like this, and the drug 
seizure on Monday had made the school realise it was as susceptible to the 
problem as the rest of the Island, said Mr. Evans.

"Prior to Monday morning, it was easy to believe 'not my school, not my 
children'. However, with this we have the realisation that societal 
problems are creeping to this school just as what happens in greater 
Bermuda," he said.
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