DRUG FREE ZONES SOON IN EFFECT

Students at three Whitecourt schools will soon be entering "the
Zone."

March 15 marks the start of the Drug Free Zone initiative at Percy
Baxter, Hilltop and St. Joseph schools.

Whitecourt RCMP Const. Charlotte Peters said the day will feature
assemblies at the three schools informing students of the Drug Free
Zone concept, as well as the placement of signs by the Town of
Whitecourt marking the affected areas.

The Drug Free Zones, on school boundaries, will incidate where zero
tolerance will be practiced regarding alcohol and drug use or possession.

"There will be no questions asked, arrests will be made and we will
push for strong sentences in court - we have co-operation from the
Crown prosecutor," Peters said.

The March 15 assemblies will feature Peters with Cpl. Rex Brasnett,
Staff Sgt. Wayne Papple and a member of Edmonton's RCMP drug section
addressing the zones' implications and legalities, as well as AADAC
speaker Mike Ryan on his experience with drug use.

The Drug Free Zone initiative will result in more patrols of school
areas as well as regular searches.

"There is a concerted effort to get drugs out of schools," Peters
said.