Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2005
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH)
Copyright: 2005 The Cincinnati Enquirer
Contact:  http://enquirer.com/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/86
Author: Reid Forgrave, Enquirer staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

STUDENTS ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGES

MIAMI TWP. - Seventeen students at Milford High School were arrested
at the school this morning after Miami Township police concluded a
seven-month undercover drug investigation at the school, school
officials said.

Some of the students are 18 years old and will be charged as adults on
felony drug trafficking charges, said district and township officials.

Milford Exempted Village Schools Superintendent John Frye and Milford
High School Principal Ray Bauer plan to join Miami Township Police
Chief Steve Bailey and Miami Township Police Lt. Cliff Rowland at a 2
p.m. press conference at the Miami Township Administration building,
5900 McPicken Drive off Ohio 28.

"We hope parents will be pleased we're taking this drastic effort to
clean up our school," Miller said. "We want to send the message that
drugs will not be tolerated in our schools."

The district has taken initial disciplinary action against the
students, district spokeswoman Valerie Miller said. All 17 were
immediately suspended for 10 days, she said, with recommendation for
expulsion.

Expulsion hearings will take place in the next week, she
said.

After parents and students made repeated complaints to school and
district officials about drug trafficking problems at the schools, the
district last year formed a substance abuse committee, comprised of
parents, students, staff, police and community agencies.

Drug-sniffing dogs have walked the halls of the school several times
last year and this year, Miller said.

Frye requested the undercover investigation with township police, and
a female undercover officer has been attending Milford High School
since August.

A township official said the high school, which has about 2,000
students enrolled, will have an assembly this afternoon to discuss the
arrests and the drug problems at the school.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin