Officers in Oshawa are trying to educate parents and children after snacks containing marihuana were brought into the same elementary school on two occasions.
On Monday, May 14, 2018 a Grade 6 student brought home-baked cookies into the Oshawa school as a treat. After consuming the cookies, four students (three were 11 years old, one was 12 years old) reported feeling dizzy and euphoric. On Wednesday, May 16, the DRPS was called in to investigate by school officials from the Durham District School Board.
Investigation revealed that one parent had made the cookies for a spouse with a medical marihuana license. Some of the batch had been taken from the home without consent by an older sibling (high school age), but somehow ended up in the Grade 6’s backpack. As part of this investigation, the Children’s Aid Society was called in to conduct a review.
In a completely separate incident involving other kids the week before, THC-infused gummy bears had been consumed in the same elementary school. In that incident, four children in Grade 7 and 8 (ages 12 and 13) reported feeling dizzy and euphoric after consuming a gummy bear brought in by one of the students. It is unknown how the child came into possession of the gummy bears, as they were not made at home.
Officers have also taken the time to educate students, parents and teachers in both the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board about the dangers and risks of consuming psychoactive chemicals at such an early age. Images of the pre-packaged gummy bears have been circulated to staff members so they are familiar with what the product looks like.
Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Central East Division at 1-888-579-1520.
Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or on the website at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters are eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
