Pubdate: Mon, 19 Nov 2001
Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 North Island Gazzette
Contact:  Box 458 7305 Market St., Port Hardy, B.C., V0N 2P0
Fax: 250-949-7655
Website: http://www.northislandgazette.com/
Author: Mark Allan

DRUGS FOUND AT HIGH SCHOOL

RCMP In Port Mcneill And Port Hardy Continue To Crack Down On Drugs, 
Specifically Marijuana.

One charge of marijuana possession is pending after Port McNeill RCMP 
searched North Island Secondary School several times recently at the 
school's request, says Sgt. Chris Stewart. He says RCMP seized small 
amounts of marijuana in student's possession.

NISS acting principal Dave Searcy can't say whether students are using 
drugs more than in the past, or that school officials are being more 
vigilant than normal.

"We're always concerned about anything like drugs or alcohol and the effect 
they have on our young people," he notes.

Searcy estimates the school has about twice as many drug-related 
suspensions so far this school year compared to the same period of 2001, 
when NISS suspended four or five students for drugs. More than 500 students 
attend the Port McNeill school, which covers Alert Bay, Sointula, Port 
Alice and Woss. Searcy feels drug users at the school are being more 
obvious. It's not difficult to catch marijuana users, he says, due to its 
overpowering odor. "You come in with something like marijuana, you're going 
to get caught," Searcy states.

Locker inspections, he maintains, remain part of school policy. Students 
concerned about drug use are one of the school's best sources of 
information, Searcy says.

NISS officials are concerned not only with students possessing and using 
drugs, but their source.

Searcy insists that NISS remains a good place for kids to go. "If I was a 
parent, would I want my child to go to NISS, you bet."

Port Hardy RCMP simultaneously raided two Coal Harbour homes early Friday 
evening, seizing marijuana and property related to other offences, Cpl. 
Tony Dohlan says in a news release.

Four adults were arrested and later released. RCMP continue to investigate. 
"This case is part of ongoing police efforts to curb the supply of illicit 
marijuana to the residents of the Port Hardy and Coal Harbour area," Dohlan 
states.
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