POLICE SWEEP HIGH SCHOOLS FOR DRUGS, WEAPONS

Concern With Gangs Leads To Charges

A drug sweep of five Markham high schools has resulted in charges, seizures
of weapons, suspensions and the involvement of parents.

The York Regional Police community oriented response unit conducted a
two-week initiative this month known as Clean Sweep, which targeted illegal
drug use in high schools. Police would not identify the schools.

Operation Clean Sweep started Jan. 10 as a result of an "increasing concern
over drug use among our teens", Const. Kim Killby said.

Large Profits

"Many of today's young people and youth gangs are making considerable
profits from the sale of drugs, while other youths who have been lured into
this type of activity, face debt, slipping grades, poor school attendance,
the potential for violence and the risk of becoming involved in other
criminal activity," she said.

The purpose of Clean Sweep was to reduce drug use and the presence of drugs
in Markham high schools, to identify those students believed to be key
players in the drug scene and to identify possible gang-related links,
Const. Killby said.

Both parents and school officials were included in the project's outcomes
in an effort to assist those youths to be at risk.

Clean Sweep resulted in the arrest of 20 youths and 13 adults, with 14
charges laid, including drug-related offenses, theft over $5,000,
possession over $5,000 and mischief over $5,000. The sweep also included
the involvement of 23 parents. It resulted in 25 school suspensions, 12
drug parcels seizures, four weapons seized, including two knifes and two
expandable batons and nine drug dealers identified.