Pubdate: Fri, 20 Dec 2013
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2013 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Author: Nancy MacPhee

DRUGS IN SCHOOL A POLICE ISSUE: SUPERINTENDENT

SUMMERSIDE - A student arrested for drug trafficking at a Summerside 
school is a not an issue for the English Language School Board to 
comment on, says board superintendent Cynthia Fleet.

In November, a 17- year old city teen was arrested inside Three Oaks 
Senior High School, found with 2.5 ounces of marijuana and other drug 
paraphernalia.

He now faces drug-trafficking charges and a potential two-year prison sentence.

During the arrest, police seized pre-packaged marijuana and the drug 
in bulk, along with a digital scale used to weigh the drug, cash, 
cellphone and packaging supplies.

Following this week's monthly board meeting, Fleet said it was a police issue.

"Law enforcement did arrest a student and that individual has been 
charged but that would really be a police matter to comment," said 
the superintendent.

Having a police office situated in the school had been raised earlier 
in the year by Summerside city council, something, at the time, Three 
Oaks Senior High principal Nicole Haire said she supported.

The idea was to have an officer act as a liaison between the city, 
students, parents and teachers and promote positive relationships 
with the students.

When asked if having such an incident occur within one of the board's 
57 schools was concerning enough to look at having a police presence 
at Three Oaks, Fleet said that hasn't been discussed at the board level.

"The school board is not provided with resources to provide law 
enforcement officers in schools," she said.

"That would be the city councils that would take that on."

Asked if the issue of drug use and drug trafficking is far reaching 
within the board's schools, particularly the junior high and high 
schools, Fleet said, "it is a problem with other schools in the 
nation, so it's not unusual and it is unfortunate."

Following his arrest, the teen was released to his parents and is 
scheduled to appear in a Summerside court to answer to the drug 
trafficking charge.

Haire has been contacted for comment but has indicated she is unable to do so.
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