The son of a former government minister was among those arrested by police for marijuana possession last week.[1] The arrests took place on the compound of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College at Morne Fortune, in an area known to school officials for ganja smoking.[1] After the arrests police remained silent, while citizens questioned whether preferential treatment would be shown to the young man.[1] The case involved a schoolchild, and police said they were sensitive about releasing the names of schoolchildren in such cases.[1] Francois said there had been similar past cases where students of the college were arrested and their names were withheld.[1] Police decided to withhold the name in this case on the basis that a schoolchild was involved.[1] Approaches had been made about the case on the basis that it involved a schoolchild and just one spliff.[1]
The area involved was one where students met frequently to smoke marijuana and gamble, and police had been called there several times before and had made arrests.[1] Principal Urban Dolor said college regulations clearly do not tolerate any illegal activity including drug use.[1] Dolor said staff inform police when students are found with drugs, police decide whether to charge, and the college takes its own action in each matter.[1] He said the school tries to detect habitual use early and offers counselling and guidance.[1]
In recent years there had been a noticeable increase in marijuana and alcohol use by school students, with some students arrested for possessing ganja and peddling it.[1]
