SEARCH ENFORCES 'NO DRUGS' POLICY

Leamington Post - It was a typical day at Cardinal Carter Secondary School
on Friday, until the announcement came across - the school was in 'lockdown'.

Five police officers (representing Leamington Police Services and two
officers with the OPP Canine Unit), as well as two drug sniffing German
Shepherds, roamed the halls, the classrooms, the washrooms and the change
rooms in search of illicit drugs.

Viper, led by OPP Constable Frank Lauzon of Owen Sound, searched the change
rooms and the portables.

Dozens of nervous students stood outside their classrooms as the dogs were
led in.

While the students were caught off-guard - the administration was not. In
fact, they had invited the police in to search for drugs.

Vice-principal Kevin Hamlin said they are taking a proactive approach to
ridding their school of drugs. He said while some may disagree with the
method, the majority of the students and the parents are in favor of the
searches.

"We believe there's greater harm in not doing anything about it (the drug
problem)," said Hamlin.

In his one-hour search, Viper became suspicious at one desk. A purse was of
particular interest.

Hamlin was called over to search the purse. Inside he found a hash pipe and
some residue which appeared to be remnants from the pipe.

All of the students were allowed back into the room once the search was
complete - except the owner of the purse. She was escorted to the main office.

Hamlin said she would be given a minimum 10-day suspension. He said that
would be determined after meeting with her parents.

The second group of searchers also found one suspicious package - it was
found in the boys' washroom by one of the teachers helping in the search.

It was a little tin, very well organized - containing roaches and other
drug paraphernalia.

While the owner of the drugs was not identified - the tin was seized by
Community Service Officer Kevin O'Neil.

O"Neil said school administration should be given a tremendous amount of
credit for their efforts in keeping drugs out of the school.

"We're not there to arrest anybody," said O'Neil. "We are there strictly to
assist the school in helping keep drugs out."

Hamlin had mixed feelings about the whole thing.

"You never want to celebrate at someone else's expense," he said. "But we
have to discipline students who bring illegal substances or paraphernalia
to school."

"I think our students are getting the message," he added. "We have seen a
noticeable decrease in reports from staff and a noticeable drop in the
number of suspensions because of drugs."

He said the students have been forewarned there would be unannounced
searches - which will continue.

Hamlin said they are vigilant in their effort and will continue to do all
they can to rid their school of drugs.