DRUG FREE ZONES COULD EXPAND TO OTHER SCHOOLS

Ballenas Secondary School principal Bill Rawlins says they are aiming to
start their new drug-free zone policy at the beginning of second semester in
February.

While the date is a little later than they had planned, he says it is
important that students understand fully what the zone means.

He adds that it will be more consistent if they wait until after students
are finished their provincial exams and are in school more regularly.

"The kids are pretty well aware," says Rawlins about the impact on students.

He also adds that letters were sent to the parents of each student in the
school.

"I haven't had one call ... I think people understand what is going on
here," says Rawlins.

The drug-free zone is an outlined perimeter around the school. If anyone is
caught under the influence of, in possession of, or selling illegal
substances, it is an automatic RCMP call.

"Basically, what we've said to kids is ... our key concern is safety of
kids, safety for kids," says Rawlins.

Assistant superintendent Sean McKierahan says there has been some interest
expressed from other School District 69 (Qualicum) middle schools to
implement the same program.

A meeting yesterday (Monday, Jan. 17) was planned to bring administrators
together and discuss the possibilities of younger schools implementing these
plans.

McKierahan said he did not know whether that meant the entire district would
start them.

"We'll certainly know more about what it will look like after that meeting,"
says McKierahan.

No update was available at press time.