SENTENCING MAY 9 IN REILLY DRUG DEATH

VALLEYFIELD -- The 17-year-old Hudson youth who pleaded guilty to a
number of charges in connection with the drug-overdose death of a
Rigaud teen in February will be sentenced May 9, Valleyfield Crown
prosecutor Mylene Gregoire said last week.

The youth, who cannot be identified under the Young Offender's Act,
remains in custody after pleading guilty to charges of drug
trafficking and two counts of sexual interference with a minor under 14.

He was arrested shortly after the Feb. 6 death of 13-year-old Stevie
Reilly.

At last week's sentencing hearing, Reilly's mother Dawn expressed the
sense of despair that continues to haunt her family and said that the
youth's crimes were not childlike and should not be treated as such.
Gregoire also argued for a longer sentence than the six months
recommended in a pre-sentencing report, saying that drugs were a big
part of his life. She a referred to the pre-sentencing report which
stated that the youth may reoffend if he does not receive the help he
needs to change his lifestyle and habits.

However defence lawyer Marc Alain agreed with the recommendation of a
six-month sentence, saying the youth had quickly acknowledged his
crimes and has empathy and remorse for what he has done.

Meanwhile, Hudson's Parks and Recreation department is holding its
long-awaited Community Cares Initiative on drug awareness and
prevention on April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Stephen F. Shaar Community
Centre. All parents are invited to attend this information meeting
which will feature speakers from the Lester B. Pearson School Board,
Pavilion Foster, and the CLSC. Topics include information on what
schools are doing to deal with drug use, prevention, available
resources and skills to parenting teenagers.