CMS Combating Drug Trend in Middle, High Schools

CHARLOTTE, NC — WCCB Charlotte has uncovered an alarming trend in drugs being found at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

CMS had 534 drug seizures last year.
Wake County, the largest district in the state, had 371.

“It’s sad that my daughter comes home and tells me you know she can smell it she sees it,” said Robin Hall.

WCCB Charlotte spoke with Hall outside Independence High School.

Out of all of CMS, police have seized the most drugs there this year: 20 instances in eight months.

“I’ve seen cocaine. I’ve seen xanax. I’ve seen weed. I’ve seen alcohol being brought in,” said Klaudia Coronado.

“I didn’t think she’d witnessed anything like that,” said her mother, Kelley Coronado.

CMS Mental Health Specialist Dr. Cotrane Penn, Ph.D. works with students who are caught with drugs on campus.

“What we see most commonly in our is referrals first marijuana,” said Dr. Penn. “second alcohol, third pills. Typically, prescription pills.”

New this year, police are seizing vaping systems. kids know a lot of adults don’t know what they look like, and you can put anything in them and smoke it.

WCCB Charlotte obtained police records showing nearly 1,000 cases of drugs seized in CMS since 2012.

So far this year, police have made 207 drugs seizures, resulting in only at least 86 arrests.

To see the number of drug seizures and arrests, see below:

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The arrest numbers are lower because police can’t always trace the drugs back to a person, or the suspect is a first time offender who goes to a diversion program.

After Independence, West Mecklenburg High School ranks second for drugs. Garinger comes in third.

What’s different, Dr. Penn calls a major issue: more drugs in middle schools.

“I was introduced to this stuff actually in the 5th grade,” said Klaudia Coronado.

Children as young as 11 are using.

This year, Carmel Middle has dealt with the most drugs with six seizures in eight months.

“We think part of what’s happening is kids are getting to middle school, and they don’t have the knowledge and awareness of substances and the dangers associated with it. ,” said Dr. Penn.

She says students using drugs are at greater risk of dropping out.

Police argue the children are at greater risk of becoming victims of violence.

That’s why this year the district’s substance abuse program is serving more students. It now includes kids who are simply suspected of using drugs.

“What we found probably by October or November of this school year was that we had about half of the students we were screening needed a lot more than just basic drug education,” said Dr. Penn.

Her team will suggest those parents consider rehab for their kid.

Students showing lower risks can go through education programs.

“This is really a two prong process,” said Chief of CMS Police Randy Hagler.

Chief Hagler says his officers have arrested 408 students in four years.

The latest tactic to eliminate drugs is a drug dog. It’s used to search parking lots and classrooms.

“I would encourage parents to look in their kids’ book bags unannounced,” said Chief Hagler.

The student we spoke with says parents need to start talking to kids about drugs early.

“They need to have a discussion too with them before they even get out of elementary school,” said Klaudia Coronado.