BISCUITS SUSPECTED TO CONTAIN MARIJUANA SEIZED

OGHS Suspends Three Pupils

Three pupils were suspended from Otago Girls High School yesterday
after sharing in a mathematics class a batch of biscuits alleged to be
laced with marijuana.

The 14 and 15-year-old girls were discovered nibbling on the biscuits
just after 9am by a teacher who was suspicious of the green-specked
food.

None of the girls suffered any obvious effects.

Five biscuits were handed to police and will be tested to confirm what
was in them.

Principal Jan Anderson said, as far as she was aware, it was the first
time what was suspected to be marijuana had been found at the school.

"I'm very disappointed that a home situation should come into the
classroom."

The three form 4 (year 10) girls involved were all suspended until the
board of trustees could meet to discuss the issue. It is obliged to
meet within eight days.

"If the tests show there is no marijuana in them, then I will be
contacting the board and requesting the suspension is lifted
immediately," Ms Anderson said.

She congratulated the staff on their vigilance.

"I was very impressed with the staff, who were on to it by 9.05am. The
teacher saw the biscuit being passed round, thought there was
something unusual about it and put a stop to it.

"It was a superb effort."

The three pupils involved and their parents were spoken to before
police were called.

Constable Bruce McLean, of Dunedin, said the biscuits would be sent to
the Institute of Environment and Research for testing.

"We'll have to confirm what we're dealing with before taking things
too far, obviously."

It was not known how long the tests would take.

Police inquiries into the incident led them to a Dunedin address,
where a 41-year-old woman was arrested and charged with possession of
cannabis. She is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court at a
later date.