WOMAN GUILTY IN DRUG CASE EARNS RESPECT FOR NEW LIFE

A 25-year-old former Victoria woman pleaded guilty to drug charges in
Victoria provincial court Thursday and won praise from the judge for
turning her life around.

Kita Parker was arrested May 17, 2003, following an investigation by
Victoria police into local drug suppliers.

She was sentenced to 15 months to be served at home with
restrictions.

At the time of her arrest, police found in Parker's Newton Street
apartment a wide variety of drugs, including methamphetamines, cocaine
and ecstasy which were stuffed inside a big beige teddy bear.

Police also found marijuana and the date-rape drug,
GHB.

The value of the drugs seized amounted to $40,000 to
$50,000.

Aside from the drugs, police seized pharmaceutical reference books,
$2,200 in cash and an array of jewelry, earrings and watches.

Parker, now living in Nanaimo, has no criminal convictions prior to
this.

Since the arrest, Parker has turned her life around, said her lawyer
Dale Marshall. She is off drugs and helping police deliver the message
that drugs are dangerous.

Parker is back at school and looking toward a university
degree.

"I can't for a minute imagine the hell hole you were in," said Judge
Jeanne Harvey.

She credited Parker's strength of character for getting her life back
on track.

"Everybody in life makes mistakes -- you made some fairly big ones,"
Harvey told her.

"I hold the greatest respect for you ... you're still attempting to
get yourself back in balance.

"I wish you every success. I have a tremendous amount of respect for
your driving force."

Parker must report to a supervisor and carry out 100 hours of
community service work.