Pubdate: Fri, 04 Aug 2006
Source: Fiji Times (Fiji)
Copyright: 2006 Fiji Times Limited
Contact:  http://www.fijitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3445
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)

MARIJUANA'S ON SALE NEAR SCHOOL

A HIGH school principal says he is not surprised at the National Fire 
Authority's finding that student smoking marijuana started a dormitory fire.

Ba Methodist High School principal Nacanieli Rawaico said he had 
spotted a sidearm flask at the scene on the morning after the fire.

Mr Rawaico said marijuana was being sold near the school.

He said such a flask had gone missing from the school laboratory days 
before the fire.

Mr Rawaico said when he asked a science department teacher to explain 
what the apparatus was used for, she informed him that it was for 
distilling and refluxing.

It is believed the sidearm flask was used as a "bong", or water pipe, 
to smoke marijuana.

"I was the one who found the flask but when I came to check on it 
again, it was not there," Mr Rawaico said.  "It could have been taken 
by the police."

The findings last week revealed that the fire started from a bong 
related to marijuana smoking. He said he did not ask the students as 
there was a lot of academic time already wasted in the aftermath of the fire.

Mr Rawaico said he would leave the investigation to police.

However, he said all those affected by the fire had recovered from the shock.

He said the school had a fundraising drive in an effort to get a new 
dormitory built.

Mr Rawaico said they received help from the Tuvalu High Commission 
and women of Sorokoba.

He said the Tuvaluan mission had taken care of its students' bedding 
and provided $3500.

"The money is deposited in the school account and if the students 
need money, they can ask for it."

The old dormitory, which was burned down last month, usually 
accommodated 30 students, Mr Rawaico said.

He said at the time of the fire only 12 students were using the 
building, because the other 18 students had become day scholars. 
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