SCHOOL RESPONDING TO DRUG BUST

Northumberland Regional High School's principal, Preston Lockhart, was
dealing with the aftermath Monday, three days after 13 students were
charged with drug offences following a two-week RCMP surveillance operation.

Thirty more students were identified through videotape as having allegedly
participated in pot-smoking at a parking lot near the Alma school.

Through a school board press release, Lockhart said a response plan is
being developed, part of which will involve previously-planned activities.
A school-led investigation into the incident and those involved was
expected to begin today.

"We have to ensure we have a safe and healthy learning environment at our
school," he said Monday.

"We do have a strategy to respond to what happened but it will take time,
with the sheer volume of investigations before us."

On Wednesday, former Canadian boxing champion George Chuvalo will give a
lecture at the school about drug abuse during Healthy Hawk Day, which also
will include speakers discussing peer pressure, drug use, and the affects
that addiction can have on individuals and their families.

According to the press release, addressing the issue of illegal drugs is
laid out in NRHS's School Improvement Plan.

"I can assure parents that illicit drug use is completely unacceptable (at
NRHS) and students involved will face the appropriate disciplinary action
in due time," Lockhart said.