Pubdate: Tue, 17 Oct 2006
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2006, The Detroit News
Contact:  http://detnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Shawn D. Lewis, The Detroit News

BAKING SODA 'DRUG DEAL' BROKEN UP

Reuther Middle Pupils Accused of Trading Packet That Looked Like 
Drugs for Cash May Be Suspended.

ROCHESTER -- Two 13-year-old students at Reuther Middle  School may 
be suspended after they were involved in an  exchange of baking soda 
wrapped in an aluminum foil  packet to resemble an illegal drug.

Police said one of the students was selling it and the  other had it 
in her possession, and was going to pay $7  for it.

Neither has returned to school since the Oct. 4  incident.

The matter is being handled by school administration,  and one of the 
possible disciplinary actions, going by  the code of conduct, could 
be long-term suspension.

But school spokeswoman Deb Hartman said no action has  been taken.

And even though baking soda isn't illegal, the matter  was taken 
seriously, according to school liaison  officer Mark Woliung.

"Because the student offered to pay money, it became a  drug deal," he said.

Woliung said the parents of both students have been supportive.

"But we still have a zero tolerance policy, so we have  to deal with 
it," he said.

Apparently, the kids think baking soda can be used to  get high, Woliung said.

"There's a myth that if it is mixed with a special  potion and 
smoked, it would have some way of making  someone get high," Woliung said.

"It's typical for middle school. They're so naive. They  hear things 
and they want to be cool. But I don't feel  there's a major drug ring 
going on there."

Woliung said assistant principal Chuck May saw the  13-year-old girl 
carrying the foil packet in the  cafeteria.

"He caught her before she had a chance to pay," Woliung said.

Woliung took the baking soda back to his office and had  it tested.

"It didn't come out positive and the way it foamed, it  was obviously 
just baking soda," he said. "It didn't  appear to be mixed with anything."

Administrators talked with both students and their  parents were 
called to the school.

"The boy admitted he gave the packet to the girl, and  she admitted 
receiving it," Woliung said. 
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MAP posted-by: Elaine