SCHOOL DEALS WITH INCREASING NEIGHBOURHOOD DRUG ISSUES

A crack pipe has caused a lot of commotion in Diamond Vale.

The pipe and some empty plastic bags were found last week on the
playground of Diamond Vale Elementary raising questions in the minds
of parents on how safe their children are.

"There are two houses within a block of the school that are crack
houses," explains one parent, Shannon Ware. "A lot of kids are scared
to walk to school."

The problem is not a new one, but the discovery of the drug
paraphernalia in the field has made it a top priority for the school
and the parent advisory committee (PAC).

"We are inviting our liaison officer to meet with the PAC," explains
Diamond Vale PAC president Terry Balan. "We want to discuss the
dangers, issues and the things we can do to prevent this kind of
thing from happening again."

He says their first step will be to make sure that everyone is aware
of the issue and that students are taught what to do to stay safe.

Diamond Vale principal Val O'Flaherty says steps have been taken to
do just that.

"We've been focusing on education with the kids and how they can keep
themselves safe," she says. "We have a wonderful group of kids and
will continue to work hard to keep them safe."

She made it clear that they did not suspect the pipe was the property
of one of their students. She says they know it was something left on
school property by someone outside of the school.

O'Flaherty says the crack houses in the neighbourhood are a concern,
but she is confident that the RCMP are doing everything in their
power to enforce the drug-free zone. She adds that they are in
contact with the RCMP through the DARE program and their liaison and
will continue to build on that relationship.

"We have an excellent working relationship with the RCMP and they
always respond quickly and appropriately," she says.

Parents are not so convinced that the police are doing everything in
their power to control the drug trade in the neighbourhood. Ware says
drugs are constantly being used and sold outside the houses in
question. Although the RCMP are often seen talking to people outside
the houses, nothing ever seems to be done despite the fact that it is
a drug-free zone.

Cpl. Kyra Monson says the RCMP do what they can, but a lot of times
they don't have enough evidence to do more than just warn the people
at these residences. She added that although they do arrest people,
the fact that that person is back the next day has more to do with
the court system.

"We make arrests all the time," she says. "But the results in court
often have nothing to do with whether or not we are doing our jobs."

She says the point of a drug-free zone is to keep youth from being
introduced to drugs. The zone means that if kids are thinking of
using drugs they are not presented with a ready supply by their
school. Monson adds that the zone also makes it easier for the judge
in the case to hand down tougher penalties.

According to Monson, parents should consider it a good sign when they
see RCMP officers in the neighbourhood doing their job.

"It shows the public that we are aware of the issues," she says. "But
just because we are there doesn't mean we caught them in the act."

Principal of Coquihalla Middle School Stephen McNiven says it is
disturbing to hear that this happened at Diamond Vale Elementary, but
he adds that it is not surprising. He says so far this year they have
been lucky, but in the past they have found questionable items around
their school.

Monson stresses this is not only a Diamond Vale problem. She says
drug problems are present in all parts of the city. Her advice to
parents is to be diligent.

"Call us if you have any concerns or information," she suggests.
"Sometimes a lack of information is our biggest challenge. The more
information we have the more we are able to do."

For now parents and teachers at Diamond Vale Elementary School are
making sure students are well educated on the subject. An assembly
was held following the incident to explain why it was a concern and
to make sure students know not to touch questionable items they find
on the playground. The PAC is also discussing ways to form walking
groups so that students feel more safe walking home.

The biggest thing that has come out of this situation is that it has
made people more aware of the drug problem in Merritt.

"So many people don't understand there is a drug problem in Merritt,"
Ware says, "and it's huge."

If you have any questions or info contact the Merritt RCMP at 378-4262.