POLICE TARGET DRUG USE IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

22 Charged Since Crackdown Began In High Schools Sept. 19

Sault Ste. Marie police are stepping up efforts to clamp down on student
drug possession in city high schools.

More than 20 young adults have been charged with narcotic-related offences
since the crackdown began on Sept. 19.

"We're there to try and reduce drug use in and around the schools," said
Staff Sgt. Romano Carlucci on Monday.

The arrests have been made in areas "away from the beaten path" around the
city, including bush areas near Cooper Street, Florwin Drive, North Street,
Wilcox Park and a laneway off of Dennis Street.

The initiative marks the first collaboration of high school liaison
officers and the police department's street team targeting secondary
student drug use. Five police officers are assigned to the high school drug
initiative.

Police have made a series of small seizures totaling 31 grams of marijuana
and half-a-gram each of cannabis resin and cocaine. The total street value
of the narcotics is $1,000, police report.

"We're pleased with the results and the work that was done in the initial
two weeks," said Carlucci.

"Did we expect to come across a cache of drugs being carried or sold by
somebody? The initiative was to reduce (drug use) and put out that message
that we're there, we know that the problem is there and it exists. We will
be out there looking."

The head of the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board welcomes the
increased police vigilance.

"It's being proactive to have the support of the city police to help our
principals ensure that their schools are safe and that drugs and related
issues they bring are not prevalent in our schools," said education
director John Stadnyk.

Problems can include student health suffering due to drug use and violence
or intimidation provoked by non-payment of drugs, he added.

The crackdown will continue through the school year.

Twenty-two young people have been charged with narcotics-related offences.
One, a 15-year-old youth, was charged with trafficking. The name of the
accused cannot be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Three of
the youths charged were dealt with under the diversion provisions of the
justice act.