SINGLE JOINT LEADS TO TRAFFICKING CHARGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

A Newfoundland and Labrador high school student is facing a charge of
trafficking following an incident involving a single marijuana
cigarette.

The female student is facing a charge of trafficking, which involves
selling, bartering or simply giving someone illicit drugs.

Officials at the student's school in Blaketown, Trinity Bay, called in
the RCMP after receiving a tip about marijuana use at Crescent Collegiate.

RCMP Cpl. Phil Feltmate said the police wanted to educate students
about the seriousness of the incident.

"We're trying to get a message out to other kids or like-minded people
around all the schools ... that we are promoting zero tolerance,"
Feltmate said.

"Moving ... from one person to another is considered trafficking,
whether it's one joint or 10 tonnes. It doesn't make a big difference
with respect to the definition."

RCMP are still investigating the case, and further charges may be
laid.

Bob Buckingham, a St. John's defence lawyer who is not affiliated with
the case, said that while everyone wants schools to be safe, the
trafficking charge is heavy-handed.

"The individual could end up with a criminal record. It could affect
schooling; it could affect getting a passport; it would show up on
records, given [the way] records are kept these days, for border
crossings and things like that," Buckingham said.

Buckingham said he hopes the Crown prosecutor's office takes a close
look at the case.

Feltmate said while police sometimes issue warnings about marijuana
use, the trafficking charge was laid because the incident was
determined to have taken place inside a school.

Feltmate said Crescent Collegiate has had little experience with drug
use in recent years.