Are drug pushers targeting younger kids in Merritt?

Merritt mom Kerstin Auer says she is shocked that a teenaged boy offered her ten-year-old son marijuana while he played outside with another friend at Merritt Central Elementary School during the lunch our Monday.

"My son told me he said, 'You guys want some weed?'" says Auer.

The boy and his friend say they encountered the teenager, described as "tanned with dark hair" and staggering as he walked, passing through the elementary school grounds after he had approached from the direction of Merritt Secondary School (MSS), just north of Merritt Central.

"They said, no, and just kept walking."

Auer says the boys spoke with a school authority about five minutes later, but by that time it was too late and the teenager wasn't found.

A description of the individual was then passed on to the high school by Merritt Central staff and MSS principal Bill Lawrence began a search.

"…It didn't ring a bell with any of the students," says Lawrence. "We have a description and we will be keeping it on hand."

A path lining the Coldwater connects the two schools and is frequented by students and Merritt residents

"This was like, wait, elementary school?" says Auer. "These are little kids."

She adds that this had never happened to her son before and says he was intimidated.

Merritt Central principal Trent Dolgopol says he doesn't recall an incident like this happening before on the school grounds.

"I always encourage kids to report things immediately. This was reported a little bit after the fact," he adds.

In October 2010, Merritt RCMP confirmed that a Lower Mainland gang, the Surrey Boys, was recruiting locals, including Coquihalla Middle School and MSS students, to sell drugs in Merritt.

"We've had kids with drugs, much less this year than last," admits Lawrence.

School District 58 routinely brings in speakers warning students about the dangers of drugs and carries out programs like DARE, a national drug awareness program, in elementary schools.