MRHS has asked parents not to allow their children to bring cell phones to the school, as they have been linked to disruptive behaviour and drug use.

MIDDLE MUSQUODBOIT: A letter sent home from Musquodoboit Rural High School, in Middle Musquodoboit, may have over-exaggerated a problem within the school.

The letter, sent home on Jan. 21, requests parents to not allow their children, who attend MRHS, to bring cell phones to school, stating they are causing disruptions in class and have been linked to drug-use.

“In every drug-related incident with which we have dealt, since the beginning of the school year, the use of cell phones was involved in the situation that subsequently arose,” read the letter, sent home by MRHS principal, Ronnie Reynolds. “For example, students used their cell phones to inquire about the availability and price of drugs, to make arrangements to purchase drugs, or to be transported to a location where drugs could be purchased.”

The letter also explained how cell phones are causing distraction in classes.

“A significant number of students are texting one another during instructional time, and often are leaving the classroom on the pretext of using the washroom, to make calls to other students,” the letter continued. “Cell phone use is the source of a great deal of social upheaval in the student body.”

Doug Hadley, coordinator of communications with the Halifax Regional School Board, says each individual school is free to make their own policies in regards to cell phone use.

“School (administration) make their own decision as to what is best for their school,” said Hadley. “It’s about what best suits the needs of their community. Some schools already don’t allow them at all, and others allow them at certain times and only in certain places.”

Drugs are prevalent at MRHS, just like any high school, an RCMP officer with North Central RCMP says. Cpl. Shane Christmas says he realizes students at MRHS are involved in drug-related activity, but he can’t compare it.

“I know there are drugs in the school, but as far as it being an epidemic or anything like that it wouldn’t be anything along that line,” Cpl. Christmas said. “I know there have been drugs in every high school and MRHS is no different.”

During Cpl. Christmas’ time with North Central RCMP, which services Middle Musquodoboit, there have only been five drug-related calls to MRHS in the past two years. One charge was laid, while the other four calls were info related.

However, he said this doesn’t mean parents, students and staff should become complacent.

“We always have to be concerned,” he said. “We’ve got to be aware of our children and the actions that they’re taking. I believe there is drug use in the school, but I don’t believe it’s at epidemic proportions by any means,”

Karen Holman, who has a daughter attending MRHS, is not happy with the request.

“I personally like (my daughter) having a cell phone to get last minute messages to her. For instance, if I got held up in town or at a meeting and I am not going to be home when the bus drops them off,” she said.

However, Holman says if a student is caught using their phone inappropriately during class time, proper action should be taken.

“I don’t think they should have them on during class time, and, if they are caught texting in class, the phone should be taken by the teacher and the student should be dealt with appropriately,” she said. “It’s no different than talking in class.”

But, to not allow cell phones at all is not the answer, according to Holman. She says banning cell phones at the school will have little to no affect on the drug problem.

“I believe this is a totally different issue that has been in that school before cell phones were invented, so work on the big problem not the small problem,” she said. “No cell phone does not equal no drugs.”

District 1 Councillor Steve Streatch, who also has a child attending the school, believes an all out ban may not be the proper answer, but is understanding of the decision of the school’s administration.

“Frankly, I think it’s a problem best dealt with by the local police,” he said. “But I can also understand the frustration of the school’s administration. As a father of a 16-year-old student, I was slightly taken aback that everyone is penalized for the action of a few.”

While some believe cocaine is becoming the drug of choice within Musquodoboit Valley, Cpl. Christmas says it is not a problem within the school.

“As far as I’m aware, it isn’t,” he said. “From my involvement, the only drug I’ve seen at MRHS has been marijuana. I haven’t experienced anything other than that.”

The Halifax District RCMP-operated police have an office located within MRHS, which Cpl. Christmas says they attend weekly. Despite this, he said, they do have a presence at MRHS.

“We’re active with the student council, as well as the teachers and principal,” he added.

Streatch says he believes the police should be the ones dealing with the drug problem at the school.

“I have been in touch with the local RCMP and have been assured that they are getting a grip on the problem,” he said.

Cpl. Christmas adds they do work closely with the school for drug prevention,

“We’re there on a regular basis, we have scheduled hours. Along with being there, we always drop by the school.”

The way the police try to eliminate drugs is through preventive methods, which he admits doesn’t always work.

“Obviously, it’s very difficult to totally eliminate drugs from the school,” Cpl. Christmas said. “We’ve been aware drugs are being used, to eliminate it is tough. We work hard and diligently to do prevention to make the students aware.”

But, in a world where technology has become a huge part of everyday life, Streatch isn’t sure not allowing cell phones is the way to go, as many families depend on them for communication.

“I want it solved, but I’m not sure painting everyone with the same brush is the answer,” he said. “I appreciate (Reynolds’) efforts and I encourage her to keep it up, but at the same time recognize it is a very small percentage of the student population (causing the problems). This problem did not start with the use of cell phones and it will not end (with not allowing them).”

Holman agrees with Streatch that it is only a few students who are engaging in the drug-related activity.

“A lot of kids who don’t use or sell drugs have cell phones so I don’t think they should be punished for the bad things that other kids do.”

MRHS Principal, Ronnie Reynolds, did not return repeated calls from The Weekly Press prior to deadline.