BY JIM DEVINE

A high school student’s arrest for cocaine possession charges prompted calm but concerned reactions from school officials and parents last week as police reported more related drug arrests would follow.

On Wednesday morning, Feb. 20, police arrested Emily Cover, 17, at Pelham High School before classes began after completing an investigation of an incident last September when school officials allegedly found she had cocaine during morning classes.

Following a police investigation and a wait of several months for state labs to verify that the substance was cocaine, police charged Cover with a Class B felony possession charge punishable with up to seven years in prison.

“It was a residue amount of cocaine indicating personal use,” said Pelham police Lt. Gary Fisher. “She’s not suspected in distribution, but we were able to gain information that may lead to more arrests.”

Fisher said the incident stands out from other drug arrests in school that involve lower- level recreational drugs.

“It’s not as prevalent as marijuana, but every so often we do run into it,” he said.

Pelham High School Principal Dorothy Mohr said the arrest should serve as a “wake-up call” for parents to talk to their children about drugs.

“I’m disappointed it was found and that a student was using it, but that’s one more student who will get the assistance she needs, and it’s a good wakeup call for her parents or any parent,” Mohr said.

Acknowledging that students sometimes face issues involving lower-level recreational drugs, Mohr said, “Cocaine is not one of them.”

Parents should be vigilant about seeing what their kids are doing, she said.

Parents and students reacted similarly but without much alarm or surprise that cocaine could appear in the small town’s high school.

“I believe it’s everywhere. It’s in Catholic schools,” said Dianna O’Connor, mother of a freshman student.

With the belief that the incident was isolated, O’Connor said it’s reassuring to hear that police and school officials are doing their part to keep schools safe from drugs.

“The police are excellent here, and the administrators here do an excellent job communicating and being open with students,” she said.

Talking with children about judgment and being open about drug issues is the best defense, according to Jennifer Dumdey. 45, who was not surprise by the incident.

“Hopefully being open about it and them knowing about it helps, but there’s really no guarantee,” said Dumdey, the mother of a sophomore student.

Sophomore Lindsey Viera said it’s easy to steer clear of bad crowds, but the news of the arrest wasn’t a surprise.

“I’ve heard things about drugs in school but that’s really it,” she said.

“I’m glad it’s not my daughter,” parent Dave Webster said while picking up his 15-year-old, Mariah, in front of the high school.

Acknowledging that drugs like cocaine could make their way anywhere, Webster said an open relationship with his daughter helps combat peer pressure leading to drug activity.

“She’s pretty well aware of the dangers. We try to be open about what’s out there,” he said.

“There’s always going to be someone with something in schools,” his daughter replied. “It’s a waste of time. It’s not worth it, and it gets you in trouble.”