Pubdate: Fri, 03 Feb 2012
Source: Hamilton Mountain News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 Brabant Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3415
Author: Richard Leitner

MORE SCHOOLYARD DRUG SWEEPS BUST FEWER STUDENTS

Hamilton police are busting fewer students and confiscating less pot
despite a steady increase in drug surveillance at city schoolyards.

Plainclothes officers conducted 103 random drug sweeps at high schools
in 2011, but arrested only 11 students - down from 28 the year before,
when there were 30 fewer drug sweeps.

They seized 143.3 grams of marijuana - a little more than five ounces
- - last year, compared to 368.2 grams in 2010.

Last year's lower drug haul continued a downward trend since 2008,
when police seized 434 grams, or nearly a pound of pot, in 44 sweeps
that brought six arrests.

Sgt. Terri-Lynn Collings said she'd like to think students are
"getting the message" about not doing drugs, rather than just becoming
wiser to the possibility an undercover cop could be watching as they
smoke or sell dope on school property.

Police also issued 109 cautions to students last year, 20 fewer than
in 2010.

"We don't know with certainty, but we'd like to think it's because
fewer kids are actually engaging in that activity," Collings said.

"They don't know when we're going to show up, they don't know which
schools we're going to be at, so they're going to continue on with
whatever activity they're engaged in."

Despite the drop in busts, 54 students entered pre-charge diversion
program run by the John Howard Society last year - 14 more than in
2010 and the highest number in four years, with 38 doing so in 2008
and 31 in 2009.

Collings said marijuana continues to be the illegal "drug of choice"
and parents can help reduce the risk of their kids getting into its
lifestyle by being aware of warning signs.

Apart from the more obvious, such as smelling of pot or having drug
paraphernalia, these include lots of unexplained money or new
possessions, dropping hobbies, having new friends who never come
around, being late going to or coming home from school, and spending
more time away from home or in their room.

At school, lower grades, skipping classes and quitting sports or
extracurricular activities can also signal a drug problem.

Collings said parents can be proactive, including by spending quality
time and talking with their kids, monitoring friendships for negative
influences and establishing rules enforced with consistent, reasonable
discipline.

Getting them involved in sports and encouraging good study habits also
help, but if necessary, parents should seek professional help, she
said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt