'NO TOLERANCE' IN DRUG FREE ZONE

TRAIL - J.L. Crowe Secondary has established a "Drug Free Zone" around
the school.

The program, which has been enforced across the province since 1997,
involves setting up "Drug Free Zone" signs within a two-block radius
of school property to help eliminate illegal drug activity at the
school.

Trail RCMP Crime Prevention Officer George Braithwaite attended a
meeting regarding the program last September in Kamloops. Impressed
with the idea, he presented a similar proposal to Crowe Principal
Peter Blacklock who, along with the student council, gave it their
unanimous support.

"Students do drugs because they are pressured by their peers," said
Blacklock. "It's hoped that this program will help students to say
no!"

In the past, any student caught with drugs at school would be
suspended.

"In the Drug Free Zone we will not be so tolerant," said
Braithwaite.

The program ensures that any student caught doing drugs will be
charged with a fine double of that given outside the zone. In
addition, a suspension will be given to the student and the RCMP will
be immediately contacted.

Any student caught trafficking will be given a triple fine and
expulsion.

The idea was fully endorsed by the School Board and Kootenay Lake
School District.

Before any signs are posted, a group of six students under the
direction of coordinator Ammandeep Panesar will develop a brochure
explaining the program for distribution to residents within the Drug
Free Zone.

"The program in Kamlooops has been highly successful in disciplining
student drug users," said Braithwaite - but some students at Crowe
aren't convinced it will work here.

Angela Holmes, who is in Grade 12, responded negatively to the idea.
"Kids won't stop doing drugs - they'll just find a way to not get
caught," she said. Another student who requested anonymity, said the
Drug Free Zone signs "will most likely be vandalized."

Blacklock isn't relying on the program to work miracles, "but I think
that if this stops one student from doing drugs, it's a success," he
said.

The program should be operational by the end of March.