HARSHER PUNISHMENT FOR DRUG USE NEAR HIGH SCHOOLS

Local high schools are helping crack down on illegal drug use.

Next week, the school district and RCMP kick off a project that would see
Mission's secondary schools surrounded by drug-free zones (DFZ).

In the zones, anyone caught with drugs, no matter how little, would be
charged with drug possession and would receive stiffer penalties in court,
said school liaison officer Const. Laurel Klassen. The DFZ include a two
block radius around each of the three local high schools.

Officers presented the idea, which was implemented a few years ago in
Kamloops, to students for their approval. "It was ultimately up to the
students," said Klassen. "Without their support, we won't do it."

The project is meant to deter drug use and selling near the educational
institutions.

Although Klassen is unsure of the extent of drugs in schools, he
acknowledges that illegal substances are being brought into schools.

"We just want to get it out of the schools," he said.

Under the new plan, more teachers would be taught to spot the signs of drug
abuse, and police will be called every time drugs are found, said Klassen.

"It's the students who want it, and they want their school to be a safer
place," said Klassen. Students held a vote to determine if this was a
project they wanted to have in their schools, and student councils are
paying for the 20 to 30 signs that will be erected around the
neighborhoods. Those signs will be erected by the district's public works
department at no further cost to the schools.

The project is supported by the school district and the District of
Mission. Members of the school district are on spring break and could not
be reached to comment about this project.