Pubdate: Mon, 23 Apr 2012
Source: Niagara This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.niagarathisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3733

POLICE SEARCH EIGHT HIGH SCHOOLS FOR DRUGS

Searches Timed To Coincide With '420' Events

Niagara police and educators sent a strong message to students about
using and selling drugs at schools.

Last Thursday and Friday, secondary school resource officers, along
with the canine unit, were asked to got to eight different high
schools across Niagara where staff had information of drug use and
possession during supervised school hours.

Niagara Regional Police said the search coincided with '420' events
centering on the issue of marijuana prohibition, so named as events
fall on the 20th day of the fourth month of the year at 4:20 p.m.

The canine searches were targeted to take place inside lockers and
classrooms based on the information staff provided to police. While
the police dogs were used as a search tool, the actual searches were
done by the school principals or their designates, as they are
authorized to do under the Education Act.

As a result of the searches, about 22 students were identified as
having either recently used drugs or carrying them. Police seized drug
paraphernalia, steroids, marijuana and psilocybin mushrooms.

One young offender was charged with possessing marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking.

Police say school staff frequently ask to have the canine unit come to
the school in an effort to proactively discourage students from
bringing drugs to school. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D