POLICE ARREST 16 FOR POT USE

Complaints Led To The Undercover Operations At Lucas And Regina
Mundi

Public complaints about students smoking marijuana during school hours
prompted stings at Lucas secondary school Thursday and Regina Mundi
College last November, resulting in the arrest of 16 students, London
police said yesterday.

Nine students were arrested following the undercover operation at
Lucas. Four students were charged with drug possession.

Seven students were arrested during a similar operation at RMC by the
force's community-oriented response unit. Two students were charged
with drug possession.

None of the students was named by police.

Const. Amanda Pfeffer said the investigations at the schools were part
of an effort to combat illegal drug use at high schools. The probes
began in response to complaints from citizens, Pfeffer said.

Only marijuana was being used by the students, she
said.

"It's not rampant (at London schools), but unfortunately a small per
cent are consuming the substance while at school.

"That small percentage taints the reputation of the rest of the
students. Certainly the two high schools investigated are not the only
high schools where students engage in that activity.''

At Lucas Thursday, undercover police officers began videotaping
students at 7:30 a.m. They swooped down at noon to arrest nine
students for smoking marijuana in front of the north London school,
just metres off school property.

A sign at a rear entrance to the school -- with a non-smoking warning
- -- has been defaced with the words "maxx bluntage.'' The street term
for a marijuana cigarette is blunt.

A female Grade 11 student, who witnessed the police takedown, said
"about 10 students'' were taken into the school by police.

"It was the talk of the school,'' she said.

"I saw undercover cops -- about four of them -- with a camera. Some of
the kids were asked to identify others on the video.''

She said "smoking weed'' is common outside the school.

"It's really normal,'' she said. "A lot of people go out there. It
could happen to anyone (getting arrested). I'm sure it (the arrests)
will scare a few away.''

Lucas principal Laurie Lewis could not be reached for
comment.

It's the second time in less than a week that Lucas has been in the
spotlight.

The Lucas boys' hockey team pulled out of a tournament in Peterborough
last Saturday, apparently after an incident involving alcohol.

Of the nine Lucas students arrested, four -- ages 19, 18, 16 and 15 --
were charged.

The names of the two adult-age students were not released because
doing so may identify the younger students, Pfeffer said. Their
identities are protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Four other students -- two aged 17 and two aged 16 --who had no
previous involvement with police will perform community work through
the St. Leonard's Society youth diversion program.

If they successfully complete the program, they will not be charged,
Pfeffer said.

The ninth student was not charged for lack of evidence.

Joe Rapai, director of education for the London District Catholic
school board, confirmed the police investigation at RMC.

The students received a minimum 10-day suspension and some have
returned to school, he said.