Pubdate: Tue, 07 Feb 2012
Source: Glanbrook Gazette (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 Metroland Media Group Ltd
Contact:  http://www.sachem.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5329
Author: Richard Leitner

FEWER HAMILTON STUDENTS BUSTED

Hamilton police are busting fewer students and confiscating less pot 
despite a steady increase in drug surveillance at city schoolyards.

Plainclothes officers conducted 103 random drug sweeps at high 
schools in 2011, but arrested only 11 students - down from 28 the 
year before, when there were 30 fewer drug sweeps.

They seized 143.3 grams of marijuana - a little more than five ounces 
- - last year, compared to 368.2 grams in 2010.

Last year's lower drug haul continued a downward trend since 2008, 
when police seized 434 grams, or nearly a pound of pot, in 44 sweeps 
that brought six arrests.

Sgt. Terri-Lynn Collings said she'd like to think students are 
"getting the message" about not doing drugs, rather than just 
becoming wiser to the possibility an undercover cop could be watching 
as they smoke or sell dope on school property.

Police also issued 109 cautions to students last year, 20 fewer than in 2010.

"We don't know with certainty, but we'd like to think it's because 
fewer kids are actually engaging in that activity," Collings said.

"They don't know when we're going to show up, they don't know which 
schools we're going to be at, so they're going to continue on with 
whatever activity they're engaged in."

Despite the drop in busts, 54 students entered pre-charge diversion 
program run by the John Howard Society last year - 14 more than in 
2010 and the highest number in four years, with 38 doing so in 2008 
and 31 in 2009.

Collings said marijuana continues to be the illegal "drug of choice" 
and parents can help reduce the risk of their kids getting into its 
lifestyle by being aware of warning signs.

Apart from the more obvious, such as smelling of pot or having drug 
paraphernalia, these include lots of unexplained money or new 
possessions, dropping hobbies, having new friends who never come 
around, being late going to or coming home from school, and spending 
more time away from home or in their room.

At school, lower grades, skipping classes and quitting sports or 
extracurricular activities can also signal a drug problem.

Collings said parents can be proactive, including by spending quality 
time and talking with their kids, monitoring friendships for negative 
influences and establishing rules enforced with consistent, 
reasonable discipline.

Getting them involved in sports and encouraging good study habits 
also help, but if necessary, parents should seek professional help, she said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom