Pubdate: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 Source: San Bernardino Sun (CA) Copyright: 2007 Los Angeles Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.sbsun.com/writealetter Website: http://www.sbsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1417 Author: Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer HELP WILL BE THERE FOR TWO ARRESTED TEENS Counseling the Goal for Pair Suspected of Selling Heroin REDLANDS - Two high school students accused of selling heroin to other teenagers will be held accountable, officials say, but setting their feet down a straight path is a top priority. The Redlands High School seniors an 18 year old, and an unidentified 17-year-old boy - were arrested this week on suspicion of possession of heroin for sale. Police want to see the pair placed in drug counseling. "We believe these kids are salvageable, and we're not going to give up on them," Police Chief Jim Bueermann said. "Even though they've done something that's wrong, abhorrent and highly illegal, at the end of the day, it's still somebody's kid." Mike Snellings, director of student services for the Redlands Unified School District, also stressed the district's desire to get the kids into counseling. "Ultimately, we have a responsibility to the safety of all our students on campus," he said. "But we're sensitive to the fact that these are kids that have made some really poor choices and we want to try to link them with the appropriate support to help them. When kids are involved with heroin, they need help." Police stopped the 18 year old for a traffic violation at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Elm and Summit streets and reportedly found hypodermic needles in his car. After the 18 year old admitted he had a stash of heroin at his home, officers served a search warrant and unearthed 17 individual rocks of heroin, weighing a total of about 2.5 grams, police said. Earlier that day, a school resource officer found a 17-year-old boy sitting in his car a block from campus. He had tossed hypodermic needles out the window, and 13 individual rocks of heroin were found in the car. The two boys are believed to have been supplying a small group of about 10 students with the drug. Interventions by police and school officials have been set up for all users in hopes of getting them proper treatment. Punishments for the students involved have not been meted out yet, Snellings said, and each case will be reviewed separately. All will be offered help at Vista Counseling, which contracts with the district. Family members of the boys arrested could not be reached for comment Thursday. Officials became aware of on-campus heroin use last month after School Resource Officer Leslie Martinez observed a student she believed was under the influence. Another 18 year old was arrested Feb. 8 on suspicion of being under the influence and possessing heroin. On Feb. 28, two boys were found under the influence of heroin in a campus bathroom. A 15-year-old boy admitted to using it but flushed the drug down the toilet before security arrived. The other student, also 18, was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence. Bueermann credits the partnership between the Police Department and the school district for abruptly halting drug sales on campus and helping students receive treatment. "We have a system set up and it worked," he said, adding that school officials acted in a timely, efficient manner because they care deeply about students' welfare. Snellings said having police officers on campus improves relationships with youths, in addition to keeping the peace. "They act as guides and mentors on campus, helping kids navigate difficult times," he said. The partnerships "result in safer campuses and protect the overwhelming majority of students who are focused on doing the right thing and leading positive, contributing lives," Bueermann said. "Citizens should be clear that all but a very, very small minority of RHS students are great kids, focused on succeeding in life." There are about 3,300 students at Redlands High School. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine