Fort Simpson (May 07/04) - The police and the Fort Simpson District Education Authority have agreed to co-operate to stamp out drug use at Thomas Simpson school.

Thomas Simpson High School Principal Robert Byatt said he believes that drugs are being dealt and used on school property. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

Principal Robert Byatt estimated that seven or eight per cent of the school's 130 junior high and high school students are periodically under the influence of drugs while on school grounds.

At the District Education Authority (DEA) meeting on April 27, Byatt said he has strong indications that drugs are being dealt and used on school property.

He said he has no control over whether society deems it acceptable to legalize drugs or if teens choose to use them on weekends, but he asserted that students getting high during school hours is impeding their academics.

""I feel powerless to do anything about it.

"It weakens me in my position (as principal)," Byatt said, asking DEA members to support him in taking a strong stance.

RCMP Cpl. Al Shepherd, who attended the DEA meeting, said the police are willing to make arrests and conduct investigations into drug activity at the school with backing from the principal and the DEA.

Searches of individuals and lockers, if necessary, would be based on the circumstances.

Although marijuana is thought to be the most commonly used drug, Shepherd said big city problems such as crack cocaine and methamphetamine have reached Fort Simpson.

"We can't bury our heads in the sand folks," he said.

DEA member Hazel Isaiah said, "Do what you have to do, zero tolerance (for drugs)."

Fellow trustee Kevin Allen predicted that it will only take one arrest at the school and the drug activity will "slow right down."

Betty Hardisty, DEA chair, added, "It's a concern we've been dealing with for a long time.

"Maybe it should have happened a long time ago."