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May 17, 2006
Source: CBC News
Single joint leads to trafficking charge for high school student
A Newfoundland and Labrador high school student is facing a charge of trafficking following an incident involving a single marijuana cigarette.
The female student is facing a charge of trafficking, which involves selling, bartering or simply giving someone illicit drugs.
Officials at the student's school in Blaketown, Trinity Bay, called in the RCMP after receiving a tip about marijuana use at Crescent Collegiate.
RCMP Cpl. Phil Feltmate said the police wanted to educate students about the seriousness of the incident.
"We're trying to get a message out to other kids or like-minded people around all the schools … that we are promoting zero tolerance," Feltmate said.
"Moving … from one person to another is considered trafficking, whether it's one joint or 10 tonnes. It doesn't make a big difference with respect to the definition."
RCMP are still investigating the case, and further charges may be laid.
Bob Buckingham, a St. John's defence lawyer who is not affiliated with the case, said that while everyone wants schools to be safe, the trafficking charge is heavy-handed.
"The individual could end up with a criminal record. It could affect schooling; it could affect getting a passport; it would show up on records, given [the way] records are kept these days, for border crossings and things like that," Buckingham said.
Buckingham said he hopes the Crown prosecutor's office takes a close look at the case.
Feltmate said while police sometimes issue warnings about marijuana use, the trafficking charge was laid because the incident was determined to have taken place inside a school.
Feltmate said Crescent Collegiate has had little experience with drug use in recent years.
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CBC Radio: As It Happens:
"Joint Trafficking" "JOINT TRAFFICKING" |
CBC News
School defends decision to call in police
A school in Blaketown, Trinity Bay, says it was justified in calling in police after a student was reported to be selling drugs there last week. An 18-year-old level three student has been charged with trafficking as a result of the incident, which involves a single marijuana cigarette.
FROM MAY 17, 2006: Single joint leads to trafficking charge Crescent Collegiate principal John Way said the school has a simple policy -- if students are found to be in possession of drugs, they are suspended from class. The information does not go beyond the students, the school and the parents involved. Trafficking, however, is another matter.
"In general, if cases like that are presented to us and evidence comes to us that there is a sale of drugs on school property, then we would have an obligation to report it to police for further investigation," said Way.
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Principal John Way said if students are found to be in possession of drugs, they are suspended from school. (CBC)
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Three weeks ago, officials at Crescent Collegiate called in the RCMP after receiving a tip about marijuana use at the school.
An 18-year-old student has since been charged with trafficking marijuana at the school. There has been criticism that the school acted heavy-handedly because the student could [?] end up with a criminal record.
However, some people in the community say the school did the right thing.
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Officials at Crescent Collegiate called in the RCMP after receiving a tip about marijuana use at the school. (CBC)
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Amy Griffiths, vice-president of the school's student council, said school officials had reason to call in police.
"I think many students think that this was a bad thing to happen, but I think that they realize that the consequences for these actions are understandable," said Griffiths.
School council president Betty Didham said parents in the area hope the move will send a strong message to teenagers using drugs at the school.
"Basically, from what I've got back from parents and the community generally, is that, you know, we really don't want it in the school," said Didham.
Parent Andre Dubeau said he also supports the school's decision to get police involved.
"When somebody unfortunately gets caught, well, they have to suffer the consequences," said Dubeau.
"They knew what they were doing and a policy is a policy. What's the point of having a policy at all if you're not going to follow it?"
All indications are that the incident involved more than just one student passing a joint to another. Several students have been questioned as the investigation continues.
The accused student, meanwhile, is back in school.
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