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."