Pubdate: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 Source: Brandon Sun (CN MB) Copyright: 2004, Brandon Sun Contact: http://www.brandonsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2437 Author: Eliza Barlow Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?216 (CN Police) POLICE MAY BEEF UP PRESENCE 839 More police officers may soon be strolling the halls of Brandon high schools as efforts are stepped up to combat illegal drug use among students, police and school officials say. "You may see more police presence at the high schools in terms of attending to the schools," Brandon Police Service Sgt. Rick Semler told the Sun on Friday. "We'll be in the schools, outside the schools and near the schools, and we may be using our police service dog." Brandon School Division Supt. Donna Michaels said the move is a direct result of an incident at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School on Dec. 2, when a 17-year-old female student was arrested for allegedly trafficking cocaine. Following the bust, the division's senior high school principals met with representatives from the Brandon Police Service to discuss the situation, Michaels said. "We indicated it would really be beneficial to have more police presence in the school," she said. "Some parents have requested the periodic presence of the police dogs and I've indicated to police and principals that if that's a necessity, we will do it, but that's something that's in the hands of the police service." Michaels reiterated her stance that the school division will not bring in a private police dog company to sniff out drugs in schools - something at least three divisions in the province have resorted to. But the division won't hesitate to crack down on drug users and sellers - a trafficking conviction can get you expelled from school, as can ongoing drug use on school grounds. "Our principals tell us that one of the main reasons for poor student achievement is student misuse of drugs and alcohol," the superintendent said. Investigations into drug activity can help police add to their existing knowledge about how illegal drugs get into the city and find their way into the hands of teens. "We know cocaine comes here from either Winnipeg or Calgary, and is brought here by vehicle," Semler said. "Definitely, it's linked to organized crime. It may be related to bikers, because that's what (organized crime) is in this area." So where does the drug money go? "Everyone gets a kick at the can," Semler said. "The unfortunate part of it is that people can make money selling it." While an ounce of cocaine sells for about $1,600 on the street, a quarter-gram now goes for about $40, Semler said. With 28 grams in an ounce, there's obviously profit to be made at several points along the dealing line. But while some people get rich off the drug trade, others get poor and may turn to crime to finance their addictions. A number of armed robberies in the city, including an incident Nov. 2 that saw a double-barreled shotgun pointed at a terrified Fas Gas Richmond Service employee, have been linked to addicts desperate for a fix. "There was a link in the Fas Gas one," Semler said. "It is alleged that (the two males charged) needed the money to purchase drugs." Michaels said while the school division can do its part to combat drug use among teens, parents and community members must take even more responsibility. "We have (the students) for five to five-and-a-half hours a day," she said. "Parents have them for the rest of the time. We are willing to support the parents ... but we can't take over for the parents." A 17-year-old Crocus Plains student and occasional drug user agreed. "Parents don't know where their kids' money is going," she said. "They really should be asking where it's going." Michaels encouraged parents to contact the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba in Brandon to find out when evening drug awareness meetings for parents are held. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek