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DRUGS SEIZED - FORTROSE ACADEMY 18 September 03
POLICE have responded swiftly to concerns expressed by the education authority regarding suspected drug-related activity in and around Fortrose Academy.   A team of uniformed and plain clothes officers from Ross Cromarty and Skye command area attended the school and other premises in the town earlier today.

A number of pupils were detained and a significant amount of cannabis resin was seized. Enquiries are ongoing, which will lead to reports being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The operation highlights the continuing success of Northern Constabulary's Stop the Dealer campaign.

Police and the education authority have worked very closely during this operation and demonstrates once again the value of agency partnerships.   Rector of Fortrose Academy, Douglas Simpson has warned drug abuse will not be tolerated in school and those involved will be severly dealt with.

He said: "I very much welcome this action by the police which I hope will reduce the problem of drugs in our schools.

"We will continue to provide a drugs education programme to all our pupils and will be happy to work with the families of any pupils involved in drugs misuse.   "However, we have made it clear to our pupils repeatedly that drugs will not be tolerated in or around Fortrose Academy and that any pupils found to be
involved will be excluded from school and the incident reported to police."

The officer in charge of the operation, DI Peter MacPhee, said: "Today's operation is part of the ongoing enforcement strategy which targets drug dealing at every level within the Ross, Cromarty and Skye command area.

"We will continue to work closely with our agency partners to ensure a co-ordinated approach to this serious threat which blights our society."

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