Pubdate: Wed, 01 Feb 2012
Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Hamilton Spectator
Contact:  http://www.thespec.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181

SWEEPS SHOW LESS DRUG ACTIVITY IN CITY HIGH SCHOOLS

Hamilton police say the results of their 2011 high school drug sweeps
show drug activity in city high schools is down by almost half
compared to the previous year.

Various officers conducted 103 drug sweeps at all city high schools
last year and seized 143.3 grams (5.05 ounces) of marijuana and
charged 11 youths.

In 2010, 73 such sweeps netted 368.2 grams (12.9 ounces) of pot and 28
youths were charged

Sergeant Teri-Lynn Collings said in a statement the sweeps are done to
take drugs out of Hamilton schools and off the streets.

"Approximately one third of the youth apprehended are placed in the
youth drug diversion program,"  she said.

Co-ordinated by the John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington and
area, the program was developed in 2002 by a number of community
stakeholders including Alternatives for Youth, Good Shepherd Youth
Services and Hamilton police.

Collings said although the numbers show there was an increase in the
number of sweeps conducted, the number of youths charged decreased in
2011 from 2010 and the amount of drugs seized was reduced.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.