Pubdate: Mon, 5 Mar 2001 Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS) Copyright: 2001 Cape Breton Post Contact: 255 George Street, Sydney, NS B1P 6K6 Fax: (902) 562-7077 Website: http://www.capebretonpost.com/ Forum: http://forums.canada.com/~capebretonpost Author: Chris Connors DRUGS CAN BE FOUND IN YOUNGER GRADES: POLICE Cases of drug and alcohol abuse are popping up in area elementary schools, Const. Brad Burke of the Cape Breton Regional Police Service told the adolescent members of a community group Sunday. Burke, the department's community officer, was the guest speaker at the monthly Youth Speaks Up meeting. He said more than a handful of the 150 drug cases police handled throughout municipality in the past year have involved young people, including Grade 5 students who use so-called soft drugs like hashish and marijuana. "It's in our elementary schools," Burke said to the monthly discussion group of more than 50 Grade 6 students. "I sit here and I don't know if any of you guys are confronted with it yet, but I guarantee you through your school career, you will be presented with it. "The scary thing is there's people your age who are drug addicts and alcoholics." - ---