CHILD BUSTED WITH POT

Local RCMP have had to deal with 11 and 12-year-old children
experimenting with marijuana before, but were shocked to learn that a
local principal recently found the controlled substance in the
possession of a "six or seven-year-old child. "

Police received a call Monday detailing that the young unnamed student
came to school with three "joints" and five regular cigarettes, said
Constable Scott West. "I've never heard of or seen anything younger,
nor has the principal, who is very experienced," he said, shaking his
head in disbelief.

West, who works at local schools with the D.A.R.E Program, was at a
loss to explain how a child so young could even know anything about
drugs.

"My question is where do they obtain the drugs and where do they learn
these behaviours from?" he said. "A certain portion of that must come
from societal influences and from parents."

Police Sgt. Dwaine Wetteland was also shocked by the very young age of
the student, who is now suspended.

"If parents are recreational users we ask that they please don't do it
in front of their kids," he said.

For West, familiarizing six-year-olds with drugs, is about as smart as
giving them weapons.

"You wouldn't leave a loaded gun lying on your floor," he said, "why
would you lead them down the path to drug abuse? I think it's the same
thing.

He points out that drugs, as well as associated second hand smoke, do
more damage the younger the child.

"It really does hit kids harder because they are still developing,"
said West.

He said parents, whether they think their children are involved in
drugs or not, should be proactive and occasionally search belongings
for marijuana or alcohol.

And he points out that many kids between the ages of 11-12 end up in
the hospital or even dead because of drug use. He expects it would be
worse, of course, with six and-seven-year-olds.