Pubdate: Thu, 02 Mar 2006 Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2006 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Author: Cathy Von Kintzel Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) SUSPENSIONS AWAIT DOPE SMOKERS ALMA - Administrators at a Pictou County school expect to begin doling out suspensions to potentially dozens of dope smoking students by next week. Northumberland Regional High School in Alma launched an internal investigation last week after 13 students were charged and dozens of others were issued formal cautions following a dramatic police sweep of a convenience store parking lot near the school on Feb. 17. Principal Preston Lockhart said Wednesday roughly 35 students could be suspended as part of the ongoing school investigation that involves interviewing students, gathering information and viewing RCMP surveillance tapes. "We want to ensure we have accurate information and that we deal with each student involved individually," he said. A helicopter, police dog, and 10 RCMP officers in a number of cruisers were involved in the noon-hour drug bust, which one witness described as movie-like. According to reports, some students openly smoked marijuana during their lunch break and were even aware of the video cameras. Although the arrests and surveillance occurred off school grounds, officials at Chignecto-Central regional school board have maintained it is still a school issue because it was during school hours. "From my point of view this is about changing behaviour, not about punishment, although there are consequences in our student code of conduct," Mr. Lockhart said regarding the upcoming suspensions. "It's about making school and learning priorities" for these students. The school's code of conduct recommends five-day suspensions for drug-related activity, plus RCMP involvement, which has already occurred, and referral to the school board's disciplinary committee. The principal said that committee could suspend students even longer, including for the remainder of the school year. Northumberland High has roughly 1,100 students in Grades 9 to 12. Students facing criminal charges are expected to appear in provincial and youth courts this month or in April. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom