Pubdate: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003 Contact: http://www.stuff.co.nz/otago Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925 Author: Lea Stewart BISCUITS SUSPECTED TO CONTAIN MARIJUANA SEIZED OGHS Suspends Three Pupils Three pupils were suspended from Otago Girls High School yesterday after sharing in a mathematics class a batch of biscuits alleged to be laced with marijuana. The 14 and 15-year-old girls were discovered nibbling on the biscuits just after 9am by a teacher who was suspicious of the green-specked food. None of the girls suffered any obvious effects. Five biscuits were handed to police and will be tested to confirm what was in them. Principal Jan Anderson said, as far as she was aware, it was the first time what was suspected to be marijuana had been found at the school. "I'm very disappointed that a home situation should come into the classroom." The three form 4 (year 10) girls involved were all suspended until the board of trustees could meet to discuss the issue. It is obliged to meet within eight days. "If the tests show there is no marijuana in them, then I will be contacting the board and requesting the suspension is lifted immediately," Ms Anderson said. She congratulated the staff on their vigilance. "I was very impressed with the staff, who were on to it by 9.05am. The teacher saw the biscuit being passed round, thought there was something unusual about it and put a stop to it. "It was a superb effort." The three pupils involved and their parents were spoken to before police were called. Constable Bruce McLean, of Dunedin, said the biscuits would be sent to the Institute of Environment and Research for testing. "We'll have to confirm what we're dealing with before taking things too far, obviously." It was not known how long the tests would take. Police inquiries into the incident led them to a Dunedin address, where a 41-year-old woman was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis. She is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court at a later date. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake