RCMP FIGHT DRUGS NEAR SCHOOL

A drug bust this week outside Belmont secondary shows that the West Shore
RCMP are intent on maintaining the progress they have made in quelling drug
activity near the school, says Cpl. Brian Kerr.

Kerr, a member of the detachment's street-crime unit, said Belmont is no
different from other schools in having to cope with the problem of illegal
drugs.

"What we decided as a street-crime unit at West Shore is that instead of
taking a reactive approach to it, we were going to go proactive this year."

Backed by the co-operation of Belmont's staff and administration, the RCMP
have put a major dent in the open drug use and trafficking activity in the
school area, Kerr said. Much of the RCMP's work came in the fall and early
winter. "The change in the atmosphere around there from September until
December was like black and white," Kerr said.

Belmont vice-principal David Felker agreed.

"The initiative that they've taken has been a very worthwhile program for
us this year. The issue is that there are people who wish to come around
and sell drugs around most high schools."

The surveillance activity carried out by the RCMP "has basically been
closing down those criminal elements coming around the school to a large
extent," Felker said.

Earlier drug busts at the Jacklin Road school have netted both student and
non-student traffickers selling marijuana. This week, two adult
non-students and a 17-year-old student were arrested when transactions
involving marijuana were observed, Kerr said.

One of the adults was released without charge, but the other faces a count
of drug possession. Charges of possession and trafficking are pending
against the student, who has also been suspended indefinitely from the school.

Kerr said the student in question has deep regrets about what happened.

"Here's a kid with not bad marks who just got into something, and
unfortunately he's got to pay the price for it now."

Like others before him, the prospect of being allowed to return to the
school are not good, Kerr said.

"If they're caught dealing, the chances of them getting back into Belmont
are virtually nil."

While the police aren't quite as active at Belmont as they were earlier in
the year, their campaign will continue, Kerr said. They were in the area
for the latest arrests after receiving reports of drug activity on a public
path across the street from the school

"We're going to keep it up," Kerr said. "We may not be there every week,
but we're certainly going to be around."