POLICE RAID TWO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS

A raid by police at two Grey County high schools was initiated by the
principals as a way of promoting a safe learning environment, said a
Bluewater District School Board spokeswoman.

Four OPP canine units and several uniformed officers drawn from as far as
Orillia conducted search and seizure operations at high schools in Meaford
and Flesherton on Friday.

Police raided the Georgian Bay Secondary School in Meaford at about 9 a.m.
followed by a search at Flesherton's Grey Highlands Secondary School
shortly before 11 a.m.

The aim of the police search was to find illegal drugs stored on school
property in lockers, storage bins or student backpacks.

OPP Senior Const. Steve Starr said police made 13 marijuana seizures. Drug
possession charges are pending against 11 students.

"During the search, police were mindful of other items that might cause
concern for student safety, such as alcohol or weapons, but no such
articles were located," said Starr.

School officials said the police action was part of a larger plan to create
safe schools and to promote zero tolerance of drugs and alcohol in schools.
It's not an indication of a drug problem in those schools, they said.

"It's a pro-active approach to ensuring a safe learning environment and
it's an opportunity for schools to send a strong message to their students
that drugs won't be tolerated," said Alana Murray, superintendent of
secondary schools.

"It's not a decision that is taken lightly," added Murray. She said four
other schools have already had police in for similar searches in Chesley,
Kincardine, Hanover and at Saugeen.

Police teams searched each room Friday. Students were asked to line up in
the hallway while dogs sniffed clothing, musical instruments, or personal
items left in the classrooms. Lockers were searched too.

Starr said students were not searched and arrested unless they were
suspected of possessing a drug uncovered in the raid.

Please See RAID, Page 2

Smith said he asked police to visit the school as part of a program of
promoting a safe learning environment.

"In every school drugs are a concern and we hope to send a strong message,"
said Grey Highlands principal John Smith, adding, "Generally we get a
positive response by parents."

After the search, some police officers and one of the dogs attended a
school assembly and answered questions from students.

Smith noted that while none of the students was arrested for trafficking in
drugs, those found guilty of possession will face suspensions.