RCMP BRINGS DRUG FIGHT TO SCHOOLS

Merritt's young people will have another weapon in the fight against drugs
this year.

Members of the Merritt Community Policing Office will bring the Drug Safety
- - Smart Choices For Life program to Merritt this winter. The program
includes a book that points out the dangers of drug use to younger students
through activities like quizzes and puzzles. It has information to help
parents prevent their children from abusing drugs. The package also
contains a DVD with interactive games that give students a chance to show
off what they've learned.

Const. Tracy Dunsmore says the book has lots of practical information for kids.

"It provides really good information," she says. "It tells you what the
effects are and what happens, so the kids know what drugs will do to you."

The program will provide facts on common drugs, like alcohol and tobacco,
while also delving into harder substances, like ecstasy, rohypnol and ketamine.

Dunsmore is in the process of raising money to bring the program to
Merritt. She hopes to open the first session with Grade 7 students at
Coquihalla Middle School.

"CMS is a very proactive school," she says. "So I expect a successful run."

The Community Policing Office will have to raise over $2,000 to meet its
funding goal. Dunsmore says the cost will pay for 200 students to
participate in the program. The fundraising effort has gone well so far,
and she says several different community groups in Merritt have stepped
forward to contribute. Last week, city council voted to donate $450, enough
to put one class through the program. The Policing Office has almost all
the funding it needs to bring Drug Safety to town.

For more information, contact the Community Policing Office at 378-3955.