Roswell third graders caught smoking pot at school

Posted at: 01/17/2011 10:28 AM |

Updated at: 01/17/2011 10:29 AM
The Associated Press

ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) - Authorities in Roswell say two third-graders at Berrendo Elementary School have been caught by their principal smoking marijuana in a bathroom after school hours.

When a responding sheriff's deputy asked one of the boys how many times he had smoked pot, the boy replied he has "hit it hard a lot."

Chaves County Sheriff's Lt. Britt Snyder told the Roswell Daily Record deputies have responded to calls about drugs in elementary schools before.

But Snyder says the Jan. 10 incident marked the first time he's ever heard of third-graders using drugs.

According to police reports, principal Kathleen Gallaway doesn't want to press charges and will punish the children "administratively through the school."

The sheriff's office contacted the Children, Youth and Families Department and determined the case to be closed.