22 AMHERST STUDENTS SUSPENDED AMID DRUG PROBE

The Chignecto-Central regional school board has suspended 22 students
who were arrested in a drug sweep at Amherst Regional High School Friday.

School administrators interviewed the students and suspended them as
of noon on Monday, said board spokeswoman Carolyn Pierce. More
students could be suspended as the school continues to review the
situation, but Pierce said further suspensions are not dependent on
more students being charged by police.

The suspensions levied on Monday were all for five days, the maximum
length that can be imposed by the school. If administrators think some
students require a longer suspension, they can make that
recommendation to the board's suspension review committee.

Pierce said a first suspension dealing for drugs use could be
increased by an extra five to 10 days, and a second offence can be
upped by five to 40 days.

"It just depends on the situation," she said.

She said she wasn't sure if any of the students would be going to the
review committee, but "we're still in the initial stages of our review."

Sgt. John Berry of Cumberland RCMP said no charges have been laid yet,
and the investigation is continuing. Police were responding to
complaints from the public when they went to the school Friday and
seized marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a sweep through students in
the school's parking lot.

Pierce said the school was not aware of any complaints about drug use
on the school grounds before eight police officers showed up in the
parking lot Friday afternoon and arrested the students.

Police have said they will be increasing their presence around the
school in the wake of the arrests, and Pierce said the school will
work with police in their efforts.