By Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE GLEANER has learnt that six students from Munroe College in Malvern, St. Elizabeth have been suspended after they were allegedly found smoking ganja on the school's compound recently.
The Gleaner has learnt that the boys' suspension could lead to them being expelled, but a final decision on their fate was expected following a meeting yesterday. Up to press time yesterday, no results were forthcoming, as Principal for the institution Dr. Earl Hendricks was said to be in a meeting. Chairman of the school board, Bernard Henry could not be reached by telephone, as a spokeswoman said she could not divulge his number. Police in the parish confirmed that the boys were in fact indulging in ganja smoking. The Malvern Police who have direct responsibilities for the Malvern area and its environs said they were aware of last week's incident when the boys were caught smoking, but had not received any report from the school.
But this is not the first time students are either caught smoking marijuana or having it in their possession at schools in St. Elizabeth. Commanding Officer in charge of St. Elizabeth, Superintendent Herman Brown said yesterday that ganja, other contraband and knives have been found in schools all over the parish during lectures and searches at these institutions.
He said sometimes these are done upon the requests of the principals, while on other occasions, the police could be acting on information received. Asked what kind of treatment is meted out to students, who are held with drugs, Superintendent Brown said they are treated in a humane way. He noted that in cases where they are juveniles, bail is offered at the station level, unless it is an unusual situation.
Police personnel drawn from across the division visit schools across the parish at intervals to lecture students on the use and abuse of drugs, as well as carrying out searches for weapons and other contraband. "We have detectors which are used during these searches and a number of times we always find drugs, knives among other things on the school compounds." Superintendent Brown said the police have embarked on a continuous process to hold lectures and searches in schools in St. Elizabeth. "We go to high, primary and all-age schools almost every week to lecture to students, most of whom are included in our youth club programmes. Asked if any student has ever been arrested for ganja possession or smoking, Mr. Brown said: "Not since my tenure in office, but I can recall vaguely that during my existence as a policeman in the parish, there has been, but I cannot recall which school it was."
