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Drug charges laid in connection to recent high school hold and secure incident

Police lay trafficking charges against a student from another school
20100808 chippewa school 1 turl
File. Chippewa Secondary School. Jeff Turl/BayToday.

The North Bay Police have laid charges in connection to a "Hold and Secure" medical incident which occurred last week at Chippewa Senior Secondary late in the afternoon of September 23.  

The investigation has resulted in the arrest of a young person from North Bay who has been charged with trafficking in a Schedule IV substance.

Police seized approximately 11 suspected Xanax tablets as part of the investigation.

The accused was arrested on September 28 and was later released from police custody. The young person will appear in the North Bay Courthouse on November 18 to answer to the charge.

See related: Hold and Secure causes busing delays 

It is alleged that in the afternoon of September 23 a "hold and secure" was put into effect at Chippewa because of a medical emergency.

Police and paramedics had been called to the school for an event, which sources told BayToday, involved a student falling down a flight of stairs.  

North Bay Police’s School Liaison Officer conducted an investigation into the origin of that medical emergency that saw three young people seek medical treatment. The investigation indicated that a young person, who is not a student at Chippewa, had trafficked suspected Xanax to students at an offsite location.

The school's principal sent a voice message to Chippewa secondary school parents to address the issue that afternoon. 

"We are reaching out this evening to inform our families that we had a medical concern unrelated to COVID-19 take place at our school today," stated Julie Beaudoin, principal at Chippewa. 

"Both Ambulance and Police reported to our school to support. Their arrival at our school blocked the bus lane and delayed the release of our students. The school was placed in a Hold and Secure position to protect the privacy and the dignity of the students involved in the medical concern and to ensure all students safety for end of day dismissal."

John Schultz, community safety coordinator with the North Bay Police says this incident highlights some key points including the value of a close working relationship between school personnel, first responders, and the school liaison officer.

"The initial reaction to a medical emergency was effectively and efficiently handled and subsequently it resulted in the identification of the person responsible for the illegal distribution of drugs," stated Schultz. 

Schultz notes the incident shows the dangers of using prescription drugs when not under the direction of a medical doctor.

The North Bay Police also believe parents should be aware that schools, police, and other First Responders have protocols in place for lockdowns, hold and secure situations, and shelter in place.

"Schools practice these protocols and in this instance, a hold and secure was a reaction that assisted first responders in providing medical assistance in a safe environment for everyone," said Schultz. 

"Any of these tactics are done with the safety and privacy of the students and teachers in mind."


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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