TRUSTEE PROPOSES DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS, DRUG-FREE ZONES FOR SCHOOLS; STIFFER
PENALTIES

ABBOTSFORD - Drug-sniffing dogs could be in Abbotsford schools as early as
September if a school board motion passes May 17.

Trustee Uultsje DeJong introduced the motion, saying "I think the drug
issue itself is high on all trustees' list. . . . We're going to do what we
can to try to stop it."

The motion calls for the school district, Abbotsford police department,
federal Crown prosecutor's office and the municipality to create two-block
drug-free zones around schools, as well as using drug-detection dogs.

DeJong proposes that anyone -- students or the public -- caught disobeying
drug laws within the zones be subject to stricter penalties. Anyone caught
with drugs for the purpose of trafficking would face triple the normal
penalty, including fines, probation, community service hours or jail time.
Anyone caught with drugs for personal use will be subject to twice the
usual penalties.

"It's meant to be a deterrence," said DeJong. "If we're serious about the
drug problem . . . we need to make sure we do this."