7th-Grader Busted for Trying to Sell Marijuana

Just two days into the school year, Lincoln Junior High School had its first marijuana bust – a 7th-grader who said he was looking to make $5 by selling the drug to classmates, according to police reports.

On Aug. 25, dean of students Eddy Kim received an anonymous tip that a student  was in possession of marijuana. Soon afterward, the student's locker and backpack were searched, but teachers came up empty-handed, police reported.

It wasn't until the principal, Jim Morrison, questioned the suspected student that he willingly handed over a "green leafy substance," later identified as marijuana. The package contained less than a gram -- .48 -- of the drug, police said.

After being questioned by police detectives, the student said he bought the drug from "Aldi Park," also known as Tecumseh Park, from a high school friend. He also said that it was the first time he brought marijuana to school.

Kim told police he would like to pursue charges.

The incident sounds all too familiar for Skokie, as it was one of the major topics of discussion at a June 24 town hall meeting. Residents complained about drugs and violence at four parks: Gross Point, Winnebago, Lee Wright and Tecumseh.

Skokie police responded by ramping up their patrols at the parks, and the Skokie Park District targeted the four parks to close at dusk rather than 9 p.m.

Unfortunately, residents weren't only concerned about trouble at the parks. Others spoke out about police dogs being allowed into the village's schools, which is occurring at Lincoln Junior High, 7839 Lincoln Ave.

District 69 Superintendent Quintin Shepherd said the school system is taking the recent marijuana bust very seriously.

"[Drugs were] never presented to me as a major area of crisis," he said. "We don't want to rush to judgment. If this becomes an issue for us, we will take steps to address that."

Shepherd, who became superintendent in July, said it is not uncommon for police dogs to walk through schools such as Lincoln.

"You do that to deter students from doing [or selling] drugs," he said. "It causes them to think twice."

In the end, however, Shepherd said the most important issue is the child.

"Certainly you're surprised," Shepherd said about first hearing the news of a student trying to sell drugs at Lincoln. "My first thought was toward helping that student. This was one of the issues that has come up and was discussed.

"We as a school have to take this very seriously and do what's best for the kids," he added.