THERE WILL BE NO PUNISHMENT TO FIT THE CRIMES

In what could be best described as a dramatic police sweep, nine
Pictou County RCMP officers used eight vehicles, a helicopter, an
auxiliary Mountie and a police dog in an incident that could involve
as many as 50 high school students.

The crime?

It appears a parking lot in close proximity to Northumberland
Regional High School had become a focal point for noon-hour marijuana
and hashish smoking, as well as a venue for illicit sales.

For two weeks, police had staked out the store using surveillance
cameras to tape teens openly smoking dope and passing money for
drugs. Police expect to arrest more than the 22 students charged Monday.

The incident in rural Alma has gained national attention, not so much
for the number of students involved, rather for the fact 50 or more
teenagers were openly consuming marijuana and hashish without regard
for their improprieties.

RCMP spokesman Al Affleck says charges are pending under the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which means little or nothing to
those teens who face charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Many of those so served have likely tossed the papers in garbage
cans, all too aware there will be no punishment to fit the crime.