COUNCIL SUPPORTS DRUG FREE ZONES NEAR SCHOOLS

Bubble zones may be seen in the near future around SSS and Summerland Middle
School

Summerland Secondary School and the Summerland Middle School will be joining
a number of other drug free zone schools in the Okanagan, as council gave
its support to set up these zones around the schools.

Dave Stigant, representing the board of school trustees for School District
#67, was on hand at the Jan. 24 meeting to ask for councils support in this
program. He notes that so far both Kamloops and Kelowna have drug free
zones.

In a letter to council, school district board chair Connie Denesiuk says
along with the board, partnerships are being undertaken with RCMP, crown
counsel, student councils and civic governments to push this program ahead.

Sgt. Orv Robson says legislation identifies schools as being safe zones.

As a result judges can impose tougher penalties if people are caught in drug
activity within two blocks of a school.

Signs would identify where the drug free zones begin.

Robson says RCMP members will be keeping a close eye on areas that fall into
this two block zone as well as areas where youth congregate on a regular
basis. This includes such places as Memorial Park, the Skateboard Park,
7-11 and the Mac's Store.

Robson notes that while youth caught smoking will not fall into this
particular zone, there may be hope in the future to curb this addiction
among young people as well.

"It won't include nicotine, but that may change down the road," he adds.

Carly Julien, Summerland Secondary School council representative, says this
program will not only help make the schools become drug free, but the
community as a whole.

"I think it's an awesome penalty," she adds.

Robson says in an effort to get the program on the go, local service clubs
will be approached for support in helping out with the cost of the signs and
pamphlets outlining the program.