Stacey Smith: Port Hedland primary school teacher fined for multiple drug offences

A Pilbara primary school teacher has been fined nearly $5000 after being convicted of multiple drug offences. Stacey Smith, who worked as a specialist science teacher at South Hedland Primary School and was a former local government councillor, was charged after detectives executed a misuse of drugs search warrant earlier this year. Police officers seized methylamphetamine, cannabis, dimethyltryptamine and drug paraphernalia from her South Hedland home in February. The 55-year-old was charged with four counts of possessing a prohibited drug (methylamphetamine) and three counts of possessing drug paraphernalia. She was also charged with one count of possessing prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply, one count of offer to sell or supply and one count of possessing a prohibited drug (cannabis). Ms Smith appeared in South Hedland Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where she was fined $4,500 plus costs of $141.50. The Education Department said the teacher had been stood down from her job when the charges first came to light. “I am aware that an employee from a school in the Pilbara region has been charged with criminal offences,” Professional Standards and Conduct executive director Mary Brown said. “The employee was suspended from duties in February immediately after being charged by WA Police.” Ms Smith was a councillor for the Shire of East Pilbara but was unsuccessful when she ran for re-election again this year. In her candidate details she said she had lived in Nullagine for six years and that she enjoyed and valued the unique Pilbara lifestyle. She promised to seek discounted fares for residents in the shire’s new Marble Bar airport and to provide support for the local SES and Bushfire Brigade. Ms Smith declined to comment when contacted by The West.