Michelle-Ann Letman, Staff Reporter

Ganja taken from school children.

Fifteen students who attend schools in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine were arrested in October for possession of, dealing in and smoking marijuana.

The students were referred either for counselling or to do community service, Valeen Calder, assistant superintendent of police at the Com-munity Safety and Security branch of the Jamaica Consta-bulary Force, told The Gleaner.

Ten students, who were determined to be in need of care and protection, were taken in and placed before the courts.

This was done in accordance with the Child Care and Protection Act.

offensive weapons

Numerous offensive weapons, imitation firearms, a 9mm cartridge and cutting implements were among some of the items confiscated by the police during searches carried out in the schools.

Searches were conducted by the Safe Schools Task Force unit, a programme that is operated by the Community Safety and Security branch. School resource officers also formed part of the search teams.

"The Safe Schools Programme is an attempt to stem the increasing levels of anti-social and early criminal behaviour among students," stated a release sent out by the branch.

The release also stated that such behaviour, in some instances, had led to fatalities in the schools.

Doran Dixon, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, told The Gleaner yesterday it would take a combined effort from all parties for schools to once again become a place of safety.

Dixon remarked that parents, teachers and the police have a role to play in bringing the school system back to normalcy.

"Parents must supervise their children to ensure they leave home without weapons," he urged.

He also called for teachers to be vigilant while on the job.

Items confiscated

Ice picks 73
Ratchets 311
Imitation firearms
12 Knives 166
Scissors 165
Lighters 90
Machetes 3
Sticks of ganja 10
Toy guns 16
Screwdrivers 10
Shotgun cartridges 1
Live rounds 1
Imitation magazines 1

michelle-ann.letman@gleanerjm.com