DRUG DEALERS SENT STRONG MESSAGE

Local Sto:lo Tribal Council (STC) leaders headed across the Fraser
River to Leq'a:mel First Nation on Friday to help residents of the
band send a message they are fed up with drug dealers using their
land to do business.

About 60 people wore red shirts and carried placards as part of a
loud rally near Deroche that went past some of the problem areas and
took advantage of weekend drivers on Highway 7.

"We're not going to stand for it," said Leq'a:mel Chief Alice
Thompson. "We're going to do what we have to do to protect our children."

But even though Leq'a:mel is part of the Sto:lo Nation Society (SNS),
some wondered why STC leaders attended while SNS leaders did not.

Grand Chief Clarence Pennier and Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the STC
were in attendance, and STC policy advisor Ernie Crey asked where SNS
leaders were.

"Where were Chief Joe Hall, Chief Alice McKay and Chief Maureen
Chapman of the Sto:lo Nation Society?" he said. "This issue of people
peddling drugs on reserve and selling crap to young aboriginal kids,
it's rampant and it needs to be stopped."

Problems with drug dealers have increased over the past few months at
Leq'a:mel, with suspicious-looking cars coming onto their land at
"all hours of the night." Residents have noticed exchanges happening
between unknown people and residents, and sometimes between two
unknown parties. Vandalism and wire theft has dramatically increased.

But because Leq'a:mel is 20 kilometres from the nearest RCMP station,
Thompson said, some are reluctant to report what they're seeing.

"The drug dealers feel safe to come here, and that has to change," she said.

The chief vowed the rally would be the first step in increasing
community awareness of drug and gang issues. If residents are found
to be inviting drug dealers, they could be expelled from Leq'a:mel land.

"We need to offer education and support and that's what we're going
to do," she said.