Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 Source: Barrie Examiner (CN ON) Copyright: 2003, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2317 STUDENTS HAND IN DRUGS TO DODGE OPP CHARGES Dozens of area students handed over illegal drugs to police during a routine sweep at two secondary schools on Thursday. Members of Nottawasaga OPP and Barrie OPP paid visits to Banting Memorial High School in Alliston and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School in Tottenham. A police officer and a school administrator went into each classroom and advised students of the search, said Const. Darren Milley. Students were given the option of voluntarily turning the drugs over to police, without fear of being charged. As a result, 29 students from Banting and 20 students from St. Thomas Aquinas voluntarily turned in drugs. Two students from Banting and three from St. Thomas Aquinas face charges of possession. Two pocket knives were also seized from students at the Tottenham high school. The drugs seized, according to Milley, included a significant quantity of marijuana, magic mushrooms and cocaine. Milley said he wasn't surprised to discover students are in possession of the heavier drugs. "We are aware of the fact that a number of the heavier drugs are being used by the youth population," he said. The OPP conduct random drug sweeps at high schools across Simcoe County. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake