Pot smell fires up Canfield drug check

Rumors about the scope of the sweep got out of hand, said a school administrator.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- Drawn by what they characterize as possibly the lingering aroma of marijuana, police officers and dogs searched the corridors of Canfield High School this week.
No drugs were found, but police confiscated what they identified as a makeshift marijuana pipe in the trunk of one student's car.
The dogs and officers from three local departments descended on the high school at 9 a.m. Tuesday, at the request of the school's two assistant principals.
Targeted areas: Before they arrived, assistant principal Phil Bova selected specific parking areas and rows of lockers to be searched, reports say.
"Apparently, the authorities at the school and the DARE officer at the school had smelled what they thought was marijuana in some of the hallways and restrooms," said Police Chief David Blystone.
"Once they have some reasonable suspicion, they have the basis for us to search."
Dogs picked out four lockers, which were opened and examined by school officials. Jackets in two of the lockers smelled strongly of pot, reports say.
Four cars where searched, but only the one pipe was discovered.
Charge pending: That car's driver may be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, Blystone said.
Sweeps such as Tuesday's have become routine since they were initiated three years ago, said Superintendent Douglas Hiscox.
There could be consequences for eight students associated with cars or lockers that were searched, he said.
"We have a definite procedure that we follow, and it is one not to be so much punitive in purpose as it is to be assured to help the problem," he said.
The students will be referred for assessment by an outside agency, which may administer drug tests, he said.
Rumors escalate: The scope of the sweep has been inflated by rumor.
By some second-hand accounts, it resulted in 400 parents' being called into the school.
"No 400 parents were called in, no 100 parents were called in, no 50 parents were called in, no 10 parents were called in," said Bova.