DRUG-FREE ZONES COMING TO PEACE SCHOOLS

Urban Hope will join with local schools and police to make Drug Free Zones
a reality at schools, says the organization's chairman.

"We're going to take the initiative," said Ted Pimm. "I can't think of
anyone more suited to do it. We're pretty excited about it."

Urban Hope is made up of local citizens concerned about crime prevention in
the community. The group has scheduled a meeting next Wednesday for anyone
interested in being on a steering committee for the initiative.

No firm timeline for implementation of the zones has been set yet, but
District School Superintendent Wayne Cheesman said this fall would be the
best time to do it.

Local RCMP presented the concept of Drug Free Zones to the school board
last fall. The program is intended to deter anyone from engaging in the use
or trafficking of illegal drugs and to provide students with a safe,
drug-free learning environment. Under the program, each local school and
its surrounding two-block radius would be designated as drug free. The
zones would remain in effect 24 hours a day, year-round.

In a presentation to Urban Hope members Wednesday, local Drug Awareness
Coordinator Grace Arnott outlined the proposed program, which is based on
those already in existence in Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George. She said
the program can be modified to suit the local community's wishes.

In addition, several primary partners have committed their support to the
program including the law courts, Crown prosecutors, municipal and regional
governments, the District Parent Advisory Committee, the Doig, Halfway
River and Blueberry First Nations and the local Crimestoppers organization.

With the proposed program anyone caught possessing or trafficking drugs
within a Drug Free Zone would be charged by the RCMP. In addition, student
suspension penalties would be substantially increased.

Arnott said stiff penalties are essential to the success of the program.

"The ones that are bringing drugs to school are the ones that have to
change their behaviour," she said.