FIVE STUDENTS LEARN ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE THE HARD WAY

High school students learned a very important message in their first
week back to classes: drugs will not be tolerated at Hal High.

Five students at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School are facing
marijuana possession charges after the OPP's canine unit arrived
unexpectedly - for the students at least - at the school last week.

"The message is 'Don't do it and if you do do it, you'll be
suspended,'" says Principal Gary Brohman. "This is a work environment
and we want it to be a safe place. Teens have tough decisions to make
and they have to make better decisions."

If the administration suspects that drugs are still being brought to
school, the police will be asked for a return visit, Brohman says.
"It could be in five days, it could be in one month."

He appreciates how the Haliburton Highlands OPP works with the
administration to keep the school safe. Once a year Brohman meets
with Staff Sgt. Jim Peterkin to talk about how the police can play a
positive role at the school.