RALLY AGAINST DRUGS

First Nation Takes To Streets In Protest

The residents of Leq'a:mel First Nation near Deroche are fed up with
drug dealers using their land to do business.

So Friday night they decided to send a strong message with a loud
rally that swept past some of the problem areas and took advantage of
weekend traffic along nearby 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."

About 60 people wore red shirts and carried placards to show they're
serious about protecting their community from drugs.

"We are a community who don't normally resort to this type of
behaviour," said Thompson.

"However, if this is what it is going to take to show that we care,
then you can expect that we will be doing this again and again."

Problems with drug dealers have increased over the past few months,
with suspicious-looking cars coming onto Leq'a:mel 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.

Problems with drug and alcohol addiction can be destructive to First
Nations communities.

According to a 1999 report conducted by the Vancouver/Richmond health
board, alcohol and drug-related deaths are both eight times higher
for status aboriginal people than the general population.