DOGS LOCATE DRUGS AT SCHS

Two students were arrested Monday at Stephens County High School after
deputies found drugs in their vehicles.

[Name redacted] 18, was arrested and charged with one count of possession
of less than an ounce of marijuana.

[Name redacted], 17, was arrested on charges of violation of the Georgia
Controlled Substance Act – possession of prescription medicine.

The Stephens County Sheriff's Office conducted a surprise search at the
school using a drug dog. The search came after the sheriff's office had
received complaints about pills and marijuana on school grounds, Stephens
County Sheriff Randy Shirley said.

"We went around all the cars at the high school," Shirley said, adding it
was a random search and that school officials had not requested it.

Shirley said similar searches could be conducted again at the school.

"There could be a search every week from now to the end of school," he said

School superintendent Sherrie Whiten said the cases of the two students is
under investigation by school administrators.

School policy dictates consequences for drug-related offenses an can range
from short term suspension to expulsion, she said.

"We try to be proactive by bringing in things such as the drug dogs to
make sure the schools remain drug-free," Whiten said.

"We want to assure everyone that our school system's take all action to
make sure our schools remain drug-free," she said.