'DRUG-FREE' ZONE IN WORKS FOR SOSS

The area around Southern Okanagan Secondary School may soon be declared a
"Drug-free Zone."

If that happens, the price of doing business in the illegal drug trade will
definitely get more expensive.

Sgt. Bryan Reid of the Oliver RCMP detachment is championing the program
which originated in Kamloops and has spread to other BC communities,
including Kelowna and Penticton. The program stipulates that a certain
radius will be incorporated around the school and the neighbourhood and
that radius will be designated hands-off to drug pushers and users. That
means anyone caught in possession of drugs, trafficking in drugs or
possession for the purpose of trafficking within the zone will face much
stiffer consequences in the court system.

Under the Drug Enforcement Act, a judge will be entitled to double the fine
or probation for anyone caught in possession inside the Drug Free Zone, and
will also be able to triple the penalty for anyone found guilty of
trafficking in the designated zone, said Reid.

The proposal was brought to the School District #53 board meeting last
week. Osoyoos and Keremeos have already expressed an interest in the
program. District superintendent Brian Fox said a meeting between teachers,
RCMP officers, trustees, administrators and members of the SOSS Parent
Advisory Committee will be held early next month and will focus on the aims
and benefits of the program. If there is a high level of interest in the
program, an informational meeting involving parents will be called.

The Drug Free Zone would be tailored for the three communities and would
likely be in place by this September, said Fox.

Reid was first questioned about the program at an SOSS PAC meeting last
fall, and subsequently inquired about its objectives and implementation
procedures.

"Basically it is an awareness program," he explained, noting signs would be
erected outside the school grounds warning that a Drug Free Zone is in
effect and violators could expect punishment in the courts.