WHITNEY PUPIL SUSPENDED IN DRUGS SCANDAL

The principal of Whitney Institute said last night he believed adult drug
dealers were targeting youngsters at the school after four students were
caught with marijuana.

The boys were found with what principal Freddie Evans described as
"significant" amounts of the drug on Monday morning. VSB said last night
that it was more than $400 of marijuana.

Mr. Evans would not say if the boys were suspected of selling the drugs to
others, but said he believed adults were manipulating the students.

The 12-year-olds have been suspended and the school has called in the Police.

A parents' meeting will be held tonight to discuss the dangers of drugs and
the need to be on the look-out for dealers.

Last night, Mr. Evans told The Royal Gazette: "I have reason to believe
that there has been some outside involvement from some adults and we have
asked the Police to investigate where this has emanated from.

"This is not normal behaviour for a middle school. The amounts are
significant enough for me to believe that there was adult involvement.

"These young men are good boys who made rotten choices and it is my belief
that their choices were manipulated by an adult.

"Someone has decided to prey upon these young people to try to get them
involved and their lack of sophistication will hopefully help us find out
what happened."

Whitney Institute had never seen an incident like this, and the drug
seizure on Monday had made the school realise it was as susceptible to the
problem as the rest of the Island, said Mr. Evans.

"Prior to Monday morning, it was easy to believe 'not my school, not my
children'. However, with this we have the realisation that societal
problems are creeping to this school just as what happens in greater
Bermuda," he said.