Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jul 2008
Source: Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Orangeville Banner
Contact:  http://www.orangeville.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2217
Author: Richard Vivian

12 YEAR OLD BOY FACING DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGE

Shelburne police have charged a 12-year-old boy for  trafficking
marijuana. The child was arrested Tuesday  afternoon (July 22), as
part of an ongoing  investigation.

"Obviously it's very disconcerting at any age, but when  you see
12-year-olds who are supplying it to other  minors, it's a grave
concern," shares Sgt. Mark  Bennett. "It's something that has to be
addressed by  the police, the judicial system, the public and the
parents."

The boy, whose identity is protected by the Youth  Criminal Justice
Act, was already under investigation  at the time of his arrest,
Bennett says. He's accused  of supplying a group of fellow children,
around the  same age or a little older, with marijuana.

Part of the investigation revolves around whether money  changed
hands, he notes.

Twelve is the youngest age a person can be charged for  a criminal
offence.

"I'm not the slightest bit surprised," Mary Vervoort,  executive
director of Choices Youth Shelter in  Orangeville, says of the accused
boy's age. She says  younger and younger children are being lured by
the  perception that drug dealing is easy money.

"It's very warped peer pressure. They're looking at  these older kids
doing it and getting money for it and  not getting caught.

"The dealers, the older guys, know that if they can get  these younger
ones ... doing their dirty work for them,  it keeps them protected,"
she adds.

The shelter offers services to youths aged 16 to 24.

Shelburne police continue to investigate the  circumstances of the
alleged drug trafficking. Bennett  says he's unsure if additional
charges will be laid.

"We think it's an ongoing issue," he says of drug use  by younger
children. "It's a constant battle to reduce  the amount of drug
offences, especially when you're  dealing with this age."

Children of the accused boy's age aren't mentally ready  to handle
issues that arise in the criminal world, or  the legal system,
Vervoort suggests.

"We've got a legal system that's not set up to deal  with this. What
are you going to do with them? Right  now, nothing," she says. "The
big city problems are  coming - they're here."
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MAP posted-by: dan