Pubdate: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2010 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://thechronicleherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Author: Ian Fairclough 22 AMHERST STUDENTS SUSPENDED AMID DRUG PROBE The Chignecto-Central regional school board has suspended 22 students who were arrested in a drug sweep at Amherst Regional High School Friday. School administrators interviewed the students and suspended them as of noon on Monday, said board spokeswoman Carolyn Pierce. More students could be suspended as the school continues to review the situation, but Pierce said further suspensions are not dependent on more students being charged by police. The suspensions levied on Monday were all for five days, the maximum length that can be imposed by the school. If administrators think some students require a longer suspension, they can make that recommendation to the board's suspension review committee. Pierce said a first suspension dealing for drugs use could be increased by an extra five to 10 days, and a second offence can be upped by five to 40 days. "It just depends on the situation," she said. She said she wasn't sure if any of the students would be going to the review committee, but "we're still in the initial stages of our review." Sgt. John Berry of Cumberland RCMP said no charges have been laid yet, and the investigation is continuing. Police were responding to complaints from the public when they went to the school Friday and seized marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a sweep through students in the school's parking lot. Pierce said the school was not aware of any complaints about drug use on the school grounds before eight police officers showed up in the parking lot Friday afternoon and arrested the students. Police have said they will be increasing their presence around the school in the wake of the arrests, and Pierce said the school will work with police in their efforts. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D