SCHOOL DRUG SWEEP

Overnight Search Nets Crystal Meth, Marijuana

Const. Guy Roberts, a high school liaison officer with the Brandon
Police Service holds a Ziploc bag containing crystal methamphetamine
on Thursday. The bag was found at Neelin high school and was turned
over to Roberts last night. Crystal meth and marijuana were found in two
Brandon high schools during an overnight search with a drug-sniffing dog
Wednesday -- the first of many such searches as the Brandon School Division
steps up its attack on a growing drug problem in schools.

A small bag of crystal methamphetamines -- a powerful, highly
addictive and often lethal drug -- was found stashed in a boys'
bathroom at Neelin, while a small quantity of pot was found in a
girls' change room at Vincent Massey.

The six-hour search of the city's three high schools didn't turn up
drugs at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, the largest of the
three.

Brandon School Division spokeswoman Amanda Holodryga said board
trustees implemented a policy in July called Searches, Inspections,
Screenings and Seizure, to address concerns about illicit drugs or
weapons being brought to school.

"Obviously we're not happy (drugs) are in the schools, but we knew
(crystal meth) was coming to Brandon and would be something we'd have
to deal with and we will do all that we can to protect students and
staff," Holodryga said.

Rogue Crew Investigations out of Niverville has been contracted to
conduct the surprise late-night searches on behalf of the board. On
Wednesday, the dog and his handler were accompanied by division
superintendent Donna Michaels and assistant superintendents Marlene
Gregory and Doug Milak.

Holodryga said the cost of the search wasn't available yesterday.

The drugs seized from Massey and Neelin were turned over to the
Brandon Police Service drug squad early yesterday morning. Those
officers are now investigating the matter, but so far no one has been
charged.

Principals at all three high schools called an assembly first thing
yesterday morning to advise students of the searches and tell them to
expect more -- any night. Police school liaisons, a school recourse
officer and random lock searches during the school day are other ways
the division is battling the drug war.

Holodryga said there have been no complaints from students or their
parents so far about the unannounced searches and she suspects most
understand it's part of the division's desire to have drug- and
weapon-free schools to make it a safe learning environment for all.

BPS Sgt. Larry Yanick applauded the school division's initiative, but
said it's "disappointing" drugs were sniffed out.

Earlier this month the province announced $6 million in funding over
three years for a two-pronged approach to restrict supply and reduce
demand for crystal meth in Manitoba -- before the drug takes a
devastating hold as it has in numerous communities in Western Canada
and throughout the United States.

The provincial anti-meth mission includes restricting the sale of 17
over-the-counter drugs containing pseudoephedrine, an ingredient used
to make crystal meth, more funding for mental health and addictions
programs and enhanced training for addiction and mental health
front-line staff.

Most recently, the Brandon Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition hosted
a free forum, held at Crocus, to educate the public on the dangers of
crystal meth, which can cause heart, liver, lung and brain damage and
bring lethal heart attacks and strokes.

Anhydrous ammonia, drain cleaner and battery acid are just some of the
ingredients used to make the toxic meth cocktail, which is often
produced in makeshift labs set up in homes.

When an amateur chemist and array of explosives and flammable products
are involved, it's often a recipe for disaster. Meth houses have been
known to take out several neighbouring homes when they blow.

The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba hopes prevention is the best
medicine: Convince people not to try the drug as it's believed to have
an addiction rate of more than 80 per cent for first-time users.

Still, Terry Gryschuk, the western Manitoba director for the
Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, knows not everyone will get the
message. AFM offers a home-based recovery plan tailored for meth abusers.