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Students suspended for illegal substances @ schools

-alcohol, marijuana-infused foods, and sexual enhancement drugs distruted & sold
Elmore Stoutt High School. Several students have reportedly been suspended for possessing and distributing illegal substances on schools across the territory. Photo: VINO/File
The Ministry of Education said it fully supports schools in enforcing a Zero Tolerance Policy for illegal drugs. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
The Ministry of Education said it fully supports schools in enforcing a Zero Tolerance Policy for illegal drugs. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands
 The Ministry of Education confirmed the presence of illegal substances at secondary schools across the Territory. Photo: Internet Source
The Ministry of Education confirmed the presence of illegal substances at secondary schools across the Territory. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Education has released a statement expressing deep concern of recent reports of illegal substances at secondary schools in the Territory.

The statement released on Thursday, January 30, 2025, says these substances include alcohol, marijuana-infused foods, and sexual enhancement drugs.

“We take this matter seriously and are working closely with law enforcement and other relevant agencies to safeguard our students,” the statement reads.

It added that reports confirm these illegal substances are being brought onto the school compounds by the students, some of whom distribute or sell them to their peers.

“These drugs pose a significant risk to students' health and behaviour,” the release continued.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Meanwhile, over the past few days, multiple students have been suspended after being caught in possession of these substances.

“The Ministry fully supports schools in enforcing a Zero Tolerance Policy for illegal drugs and will continue collaborating with the Social Development Department and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force to address this issue,” the statement explained.

The Ministry of Education said it remains committed to ensuring student safety and identifying those responsible for bringing these substances onto school grounds, while also providing targeted intervention and support where necessary.

Parents & public urged to counsel young people

The Ministry is also urging parents and the wider community to engage in open discussions with young people about the dangers of drug use. They also encourage them to report any suspicious activity immediately.

“We also appeal to local establishments and vendors to refrain from selling these substances or any related paraphernalia to minors,” the statement said.

The Ministry of Education said it is committed to schools continuing to educate students on drug prevention and the serious consequences of substance abuse.

It remains unclear if any of the students have been charged by police.

32 Responses to “Students suspended for illegal substances @ schools”

  • Real Macoy (31/01/2025, 10:03) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    As the world turns..
    Very sad indeed.
    We just have to pray for our children as well as peach to them daily so they wouldn't go astray.
  • lodger (31/01/2025, 10:36) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    These children have issues at home so don’t blame the minister
  • No photo ops (31/01/2025, 11:16) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    How we are not seeing or hearing from the minister?
    • FOR WHAT? (31/01/2025, 14:11) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      Where are the parents? Don’t blame the minister because parents can’t control their children.
    • Really? (02/02/2025, 12:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Matters like this are very sensitive, and as urgent as it is one also has to careful with the approach. At the end of the day these are children, no matter their behavior. Do not wait on the minister. Begin talking to the children (biological or otherwise) that are in your life about what is happening and other things as well. We can’t expect the minister and school to fix problems that started in our homes by themselves. We have to take responsibility for our role as parents and adults in the community.
  • cold (31/01/2025, 11:27) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine entangled in one of those drugs that is being g distributed? Playing foolish games with people lives for a laugh or to make gains? Ridiculous! Some people need locking up!
  • ... (31/01/2025, 11:28) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply

    Shocking when they graduate the place will be full of pink pussycat, imported rejected USA pesticide weed, and office workers know about that alcohol... many government workers addicted. sipping brown paper bag on a friday afternoon. Rock solid at 80 one man said when the tried to flirt... but that sh** isnt good for young or old. We all heard of people doing it and died off those make you stand up pills. Youth stay off that before your time... or you want erectile dysfunction for real. When those kids graduate and find the cashier jobs filled out they will be selling drugs. Watch and see.

  • Career (31/01/2025, 11:31) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    That school is no good. Only adults attend there and it sad
    • Other schools (01/02/2025, 16:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The other schools do coke but they are GREAT at keeping it on a low
    • @Career (02/02/2025, 12:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The school is not the problem. When the school tries to enforce rules ( whether we like them or not) they get bashed by parents in the media. Rules instills discipline, the same discipline that is needed in the workplace. Most jobs have dress codes, but the school has to keep fighting with parents and students over this. Students don’t respect the school because their parents do not. You say no cell phones and some parents send their children everyday with them. And then when a classmate makes a lewd video of his/her peer the school gets blamed. ESHS is not a school for babies! If you sign your child up to attend it means you and your child will uphold the rules of the school. If you can’t then send them to another school, you do have a choice. Teachers should not have to watch your child at this stage, that is for kindergarten! Some of us expect the school to do what we fail to do at home. Why are 7th graders sexing? We really blaming school for that?? Those children came to secondary school like that. No experience in the school taught them that. We need to stop looking for someone to blame, and clean our houses. Our children are being exposed too soon and are not maturing appropriately. As parents we should be disgusted and ashamed of ourselves! What kind of legacy are we creating in this place? We have got to do better. If nobody can’t talk to your child you should keep them from around people. Our morals are leaving us, from the highest office in the land to the lowest. The BVI has become a lawless place, and our children are a product of it. If you are an involved parent that has planted yourself firmly in your child’s life it will have a positive influence. Paying the bills and buying food are not the only things children need these days. The need emotional stimulation. This means we have to make them put down the devices and talk to us. Some of them are being bullied everyday and we don’t even know it, we see them acting out and we attribute it to rudeness. We have to get in our children’s ear and mind and be the voice of reason. We can’t judge or they will shut us out and just say what we want to hear. Parents, we need to PARENT and keep out our neighbor business!!
  • me2 (31/01/2025, 11:43) Like (3) Dislike (16) Reply
    Who are the parents of these children? We should have a way of naming them, maybe last name only, as I am sure children from expat parents are not the ones doing this craziness.

    Sometimes when you spare the rod you spoil the child, or children making children and there is no proper example being set............
    • No. (31/01/2025, 14:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      You’re just being nosy. Where in the world do they release the name of minors?
    • @me2 (02/02/2025, 12:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don’t think you should make statements like this without knowing all the facts. And just so you know you statement is wrong.
  • Better be glad (31/01/2025, 11:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fentanyl is not in the treats or will soon be in the treats that the school kids is bringing to school to sell . Go and research what Fentanyl does.
    • @Better be glad (31/01/2025, 13:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is only a matter of time. Soon pink cocaine will be finding its way into the schools. So you know, pink cocaine is actually pink in color and is more potent and dangerous as the white cocaine.
  • only now (31/01/2025, 12:28) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Children have been bringing edibles to school all the time especially at the ESHS, all the tme on a regular.
    • Not only ESHS (01/02/2025, 16:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You'd be surprise to learn that it is also in private schools way before ESHS. ESHS was known for weed when the other schools were doing the 'white' stuff
    • @onlynow (02/02/2025, 12:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And you know what else is sick? They are getting this mess from adults!!
  • Yes (31/01/2025, 12:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where are the children getting these things from, in the first place? The police need to question the children.
  • parent (31/01/2025, 13:56) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    up there is a mess, if i could i would take my kids private, it just seems to be getting worse, the fights are only increasing and now this b.s
    • hello (31/01/2025, 16:19) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      Don’t think this doesn’t happen in the private schools. They just do a good job of hiding it from the public. Check the school Kingstown.
    • @parent (01/02/2025, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you think private school is any better then you are sadly mistaken. They're just really good at covering up these incidences, especially the one down Sea Cows Bay.
      • YES!!! (01/02/2025, 16:48) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        Them going learn about down there and the SA between teachers and students. The one going to the East famous for harder drugs..money really talks
    • @parent (02/02/2025, 12:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What you could do is join the PTA and lobby the government for better laws to hold parents accountable. Lobby for better school policies to deal with bullying, drugs, etc on the campus. Lobby for more human resources to deal with the issues students have that keeps them doing these things. Some children sell drugs because they have to take care of themselves. Some are around drugs at home because their parents are into it. I am not saying this is ok, but it is the reality. Volunteer at the school when you can. The school needs a bigger parent presence on the campus.
  • PisTackle (31/01/2025, 13:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Soooo who are these young and up coming human rejects?
    Is it a sampling of the varied cultural makeup of the now BVI or is it a continum of the strictly predictable demograhic group of the criminal elements now embedded in these BVI. That is ,,"young Black males / femaleswith ties to ...If so, no problem .
    It is a well designed objective laid out sowed and the time has arrived for harvesting of the self destructive "luv",in actuality " self hate". No hope , BVI. Well deserved,well accomplished!
    Carry on and bask in the rewards to your hearts malcontent..i won't bet on it butcrrgrets could foster change for a revision of the way things are currently being done and a new and better ,improved populace could subsequently emerge.
  • LOL (31/01/2025, 19:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This nonsense going on for years
  • Supplier (31/01/2025, 20:48) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Force the kids to reveal the distributor of the drugs if them fail to comply expell them. Suspention is not apropiate punishment.
  • Sure (01/02/2025, 06:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’ll work…asking establishments to refrain from vending products that sell like hot cakes…if these substances are illegal, why are they even allowed to sell them?

    And, how is this playing out once cannabis is made legal…won’t be long before you can go over to STT to get it in all forms...
  • guy hill (02/02/2025, 08:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    When you pervert the heart and the minds of children you will reap it. If you sow Demonic influences into the minds and lives of children you will reap it. This is disgusting to say the least. Young people chose common sense. Friends offering you drugs and junk are not your friends. Calculate the future cost of your ADC's (Actions, Decisions and Choices) in this life. Be positive. It's ok to be so.
  • Revisit (03/02/2025, 00:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Once upon a time, the National Drug Advisory Council, Sandy Lane Centre, and CADA used to partner to undertake drug prevention programmes in the schools, but there seems to be nothing like that in place any more. It might be too late for some of the older ones, but surely something could be done to educate/encourage primary school students in this area.


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