By By LYDIA GRIMES
features writer
Escambia County Schools have a zero tolerance policy against drugs, Superintendent Billy Hines ephasized Tuesday after a student was charged with drug possession on campus.
Joshua Karron Smith, 18, of 732 Carver St. in Brewton, was arrested at W.S. Neal High School Friday and charged with possession of drugs.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force along with officers from the East Brewton Police Department responded to a complaint in reference to a student at W.S. Neal High School being in possession of marijuana. When agents arrived at the school, they discovered that members of the school faculty found Smith to be in the possession of four plastic bags containing marijuana, task force officials said.
Smith was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree. His bond was set at $5,000, which he posted.
Hines said the school board is aware that drugs do slip into the school at times despite their efforts to keep the schools drug free.
Principal Philip Ellis did not return calls to The Standard on Tuesday.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is comprised of the following law enforcement agencies: Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County District Attorney's office and the Escambia County Commission.
The Task Force receives 50 percent of its funding from a grant funding by the Bureau of Justice Affairs Division of the United States Department of Justice and which is administered by the Alabama Department of Economics and Community Affairs. The remainer of the funding is provided by the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department and the Escambia County District Attorney's Office.