Middle school students charged with drug possession

March 16, 2009

Patti Dozier The Times Enterprise Mon Mar 16, 2009, 08:01 PM EDT

THOMASVILLE — In chain-reaction style Friday at Thomas County Middle School (TCMS), three students were charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession.

A resource officer was called to the school office about a dispute between a seventh-grade student and a teacher.

“The assistant principal in charge of that grade was called to the room,” said Kevin Lee, commander of the Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division.

The 14-year-old male student, was nervous, left his belongings in the classroom, the commander said.

A teacher retrieved his book bag, which contained a glasses case. Inside the case was a small amount of marijuana.

Also on Friday afternoon, a student was called to the TCMS office after several pupils said the 13-year-old male had marijuana on campus.

The child admitted he had the drug, pulled out a small, red wallet and handed it to the principal. The resource officer found a small amount of marijuana in the wallet.

In a third Friday afternoon incident, several people named an individual they said was supplying the contraband.

When confronted, the 13-year-old male told school personnel he had marijuana at his house.

“Agents went to his residence on East Main Street in Pavo and recovered a small amount of marijuana,” Lee said.

The commander said one of the teens gave the marijuana to the other two.

Narcotics agents tested the substances recovered at the school.

“They tested positive for marijuana,” Lee explained.

The three marijuana cases will be heard in Thomas County Juvenile Court.

“With middle school kids, they’re going to tell on each other,” Lee said. “For school officials, administrators and us, it’s a good thing.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 220.