Needles found in field behind École François-Buote in Charlottetown
Two used needles were found on the grounds of École François-Buote in Charlottetown earlier this month.
Charlottetown Police Services confirmed that school staff called them to the building after the needles were noticed in a field behind the school on June 18.
Émile Gallant, the general manager of the Carrefour de l'Isle Saint-Jean, the community centre that shares a building with the school, said this is a rare incident, but staff are keeping an eye on school grounds.
"This building has been here for almost 35 years and this is a one-time thing that's happened," Gallant said. "I'm not overly concerned."
Staff followed the appropriate protocol when an item such as a needle is found, said Brad Samson, director of administrative and financial services at the Commission scolaire de langue française.
Police did a sweep of the area where the needles were found, Samson said, and the school board is asking staff and students to be vigilant.
"If they discover something elsewhere, just make sure that administrators are advised of what was found, and... report it immediately so that we can deal with it appropriately," said Samson.
He said he isn't aware of any parents who have expressed anxiety about what happened.
Charlottetown Police are increasing patrols around the school, he added.
In a statement, the provincial government said it is aware of reports of drug items being found on some school grounds. The statement also said that students who find drug items should let school staff know.
The daycare in the François-Buote school building, l'Île Enchantée, sent a message to parents noting that staff regularly check the outdoor park where kids play.
