DRUG FREE ZONES WELCOME STUDENTS BACK TO SCHOOL

DAWSON CREEK -- As students head back to school for another year, they will
be exposed to the full complement of Drug Free Zones.

At the beginning of the summer, city workers installed the last of the
signs marking the zones surrounding the schools and other areas where
students are likely to be found.

The zones include two blocks surrounding the schools, the arenas, many
public buildings and also all private property within the Drug Free Zone.

The initiative was started nearly one year ago, but the policies and
enforcement were only ironed out around April of this year.

"We were late getting into the schools last year, but this year we have a
full package to go with the Drug Free Zones," said Rob Dennis, principal
for School District #59.

He noted that there will be more drug awareness and education, but to what
extent has yet to be determined.

The RCMP will also be active within the schools with the D.A.R.E. program.

"Certainly kids are more aware of what is going on around their school.
Last year we received lots of anonymous reports that the administration
should pay attention to certain students," said Dennis. "There is a spirit
of concern and we think kids are feeling safer in their cultures. We want
them to feel safer."

Dennis added that there is lots of talk about the Drug Free Zones (DFZ) and
what they mean at the high school and middle school.

"We haven't been able to determine what effect the zones have had yet, but
we are confident it helps. There is a perception within schools that there
is a lot of drug use going on. If one kid sees it, and tells some friends
it then becomes big in the students minds as the word spreads," he said.

He pointed out though that it is only a minority of students who do drugs.

"It's not all the kids who do drugs, just a small minority, but there
always a drug culture. We want to make sure that it doesn't intimidate and
run the school. We want to get all drugging activities out of schools," he
said.

These zones are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If an offense
occurs on school property during the school day, tougher new consequences
within all schools have been drafted, and will be applied, said Dennis.

"In most cases this includes calling in the RCMP to charge the student," he
said.

He added that so far, only students under the influence have been caught,
none in the act of taking drugs.

"This program has taken on a more community program. As this project gained
public understanding, it struck a chord with a lot of people," said Dennis.

The official partners are School District #59, RCMP Crime Stoppers, the
City of Dawson Creek and the Sign Shop.

"However, when we wanted publicity, the Block News published the first full
page map outlining the DFZ for the public, at no cost to the partners,
making that money available for purchasing signs and other media
materials," said Dennis.

He added that the Sign Shop produced over 100 signs below their cost.

Look for a map outlining the Drug Free Zones in this Sunday's Regional.