CAPS STUDENTS CITED FOR MARIJUANA

CADILLAC - Just days after the revelation that drug use is rampant in
Cadillac schools, local police cited five high school students for
marijuana use.

"It involved some students using drugs off-campus outside the school
zone and then returning to school still with the drug paraphernalia,"
said Cadillac Director of Public Safety Jeff Hawke.

The students, four boys and a girl ages 17 and 18, were witnessed
passing a pipe in Kenwood Park Thursday morning. The witness called
police and then followed two vehicles to Cadillac High School and
informed school officials.

Officer Karen Gregg investigated the incident, identified the students
and brought in K-9 officer Bo to conduct vehicle searches, said Capt.
Matt Wohlfeill. The first vehicle yielded paraphernalia as did the
second, in which police also found marijuana seeds and stems. No large
amount of substance was found in either vehicle, Wohlfeill said.

While continuing to investigate, officer Bo sniffed around the vehicle
of another student. In the trunk was a .22-caliber rifle.

"We don't think there's any ill intent there but it's got to be
reviewed by the prosecutor to make a determination," Wohlfeill said of
the gun. Having a firearm on school grounds violates the Safe School
Law, he said. Police do believe the gun was stored in the trunk
inadvertently and there was no intention for any violence.

Five misdemeanor citations for possession and use of marijuana were
issued and the students were given notices to appear in Wexford County
District Court.

The school suspended the students for five days after they admitted
smoking marijuana off school property during "VIP" time, which is a
study period. A 180-day mandatory expulsion was given to the student
for bringing a firearm onto school property. The rifle had been used
for target practice and hunting, CAPS Superintendent Paul Liabenow
said.

Officials say student with rifle in trunk had no ill intentions

"Even though we are certain that this weapon was brought to school
with no malicious intent, the law and school code mandates that the
student involved will receive a permanent 180-day expulsion," said
CAPS Superintendent Paul Liabenow.

The student is being invited to attend adult education day school at
the Wexford-Missaukee ISD to obtain his high school diploma after the
expulsion has expired, he said.

In all, police seized three marijuana pipes, one of which is disguised
as a lighter and another made from galvanized pipe and conduit.

In solving drug issues at area schools, Hawke said "enforcement is one
critical piece of the puzzle

but it's an important piece in the broader picture of all the things
that need to happen to keep kids in schools drug-free."

Hawke said CAPS and the police department are continuing to work
together to ensure safe schools.

"All appropriate measures are taken to ensure safety in the school
zone including encouraging strong and continuing parental guidance,
education regarding substance abuse and other issue, intervention and
enforcement," he said.

Liabenow said despite the disappointing news, it is a good example of
the community working together to address drug use among high school
students.

"I am very encouraged that a citizen would take time out of their busy
day to notify the school of student impropriety," Liabenow said. "It
shows we live in a great community where adults care about kids."