BLOOD RESERVE AUTHORITIES MAY FACE DRUG TESTING

LETHBRIDGE - The chief, councillors, police officers and even teachers on
the Blood reserve might face mandatory drug testing under measures
considered by a task force on violence and substance abuse.

Stepping up enforcement of a curfew for teenagers is another possibility
examined by the task force, appointed by the reserve's tribal council.

Task force chairman Charles Weaselhead said he recognizes such measures
could be controversial but stressed representatives from Stand Off and other
small reserve communities will be consulted before decisions are made.

"It's not a top-down (approach); it's a grassroots movement," he said. "If
we get the blessing of the community, we'll introduce it."