Thursday, April 06, 2000
Four expelled in school drug case
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
HAMILTON — Four Hamilton High School students were kicked out of school Wednesday, accused of buying, selling or using the prescription anti-anxiety drug Xanax.
Among the students is 18-year-old Michael Damico, who is charged with two counts of trafficking in drugs, a count of possession of drugs and a count of corrupting another with drugs, said Hamilton Police Sgt. Jim Malone. Mr. Damico, a junior at the school, was released from the Butler County Jail and is expected to appear today in Hamilton Municipal Court.
A 17-year-old boy, also a junior, was charged with trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs. Charges were pending against two sophomores — a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl — whom police believe bought some of the drug, Sgt. Malone said.
School officials said all four students were expelled, and more students might be involved. Police were trying to determine the source of the drugs.
Mr. Damico's mother, Vickie, said her son is innocent.
“My son was bawling his eyes out,” she said, as he sat in jail. “This is the first time (he's been in trouble with police) for anything except speeding.”
Mrs. Damico said she routinely cleans her son's room, which is always unlocked, and goes through his belong ings while cleaning. “There's never been any drugs in his room. I would know if he were using — and he's not,” Mrs. Damico said.
The drug's circulation in school came to light Wednesday morning after a teacher noticed the 16-year-old girl was having a reaction to the drug. The girl “appeared to be intoxicated,” Sgt. Malone said. She was drowsy, stumbling and spoke with slurred speech.
School officials called paramedics, to whom the girl disclosed she had ingested Xanax — white, football-shaped pills — Sgt. Malone said. The girl told police she had purchased several Xanax for $5 apiece during school, Sgt. Malone said.
Xanax is a central nervous system depressant that can be addictive; an overdose can lead to unconsciousness or death.
Police on Wednesday didn't know how much Xanax the girl had taken or whether she had ingested any other drugs. She was treated at Fort Hamilton Hospital.
A police drug-sniffing dog searched the school but no other drugs were found, said Joni Copas, spokeswoman for the city schools.
Principal Tom Alf made a loudspeaker announcement about the students' expulsions and the drug dog's visit, Ms. Copas said. He warned students that the drug dog would make a return visit to the school at least once more before classes end in June.
“We want to send a clear message these situations won't be tolerated,” Ms. Copas said.
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