CONTACT #1: Public Information Officer, Lt. Alan Stanton, 303-660-7586, pgr. 303-208-5233 CONTACT #2:
RELEASE DATE: 12/15/05 RELEASE TIME: 1:15 p.m. CASE NUMBER:
WHAT: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Drug Violations at Mountain Vista High School Involving Juveniles who were in Possession.
NARRATIVE: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO – On December 15, 2005, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen, advising that numerous teenagers were gathered in a culvert near the school. Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and contacted eleven students. While conducting a search for officer safety, one of the students was found in possession of drug paraphernalia. The students were then escorted to the office at Mountain Vista High School. Additional searches revealed that two of the juveniles were in possession of marijuana, less than an ounce and a third student, who was identified from the investigation, was also found to be possession.
During the investigation, Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies field tested the suspected drugs (marijuana), and found some concerning test results. In addition to the suspected drugs testing presumptive positive for marijuana, they also tested positive for heroin. A similar case that involved a student on December 12, 2005 also had a similar test result.
Because the tests that were completed were presumptive in nature, additional testing will be required to ascertain if the marijuana that was involved with these cases was laced with heroin. South Metro Drug Task Force is also assisting with the investigation.
It is not believed at this time that the students who were in possession had any knowledge that the marijuana may have been laced with another drug.
Criminal charges in this case are pending.
These cases bring up an important safety concern when dealing with any illegal drugs and their use. Criminals who sell drugs are not concerned about the health and welfare of the buyer. If they are able to make the drug more addictive and thus more profitable they will do so.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County School District has a no tolerance policy when dealing with offenses involving drugs. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will actively pursue criminal prosecution against those who violate these laws.
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