CHIEFS UNITE TO RID VALLEY OF DRUGS

KELOWNA -- Okanagan band chiefs have forged a partnership in their war
against drug dealers living on reserve

First Nations leaders and social workers of the Okanagan Nation gathered in
Kelowna Wednesday to work out a valley-wide strategy to combat the rising
prevalence of crystal meth, crack cocaine and marijuana in their communities

They held the emergency meeting in response to a shooting on the Penticton
Indian Band reserve that left three men dead and another three injured on
Oct. 30

"We have to do it collectively. We're just starting to map out the
strategy," said Penticton Chief Stewart Phillip. "Rest assured, this will be
a long-term campaign that will span a number of years. Today represents the
beginning of that campaign to provide our children with a safe environment."
Native leaders are convinced drugs played a significant role in the
shootings, which killed two members of the Penticton band and a non-member
of the Osoyoos band. All three were in their 20s

The leaders agree drugs have replaced alcohol as the biggest substance-abuse
problem on reserve. The shooting incident has prompted them to consider a
zero-tolerance policy that would force the drug dealers out

"We don't want drug dealers, even if they are our own people," said Clarence
Louie, chief of the Osoyoos band. "We need . . . to bring back the element
of shame amongst those who sell or use drugs. We have to make sure those who
don't use drugs don't become users." Seventy per cent of people in First
Nations communities in the Valley are under the age of 30. Louie estimates
at least three drug dealers are operating on his reserve. He blames Canadian
laws and the rights of the accused for the lack of enforcement that ought to
shut them down

"RCMP have their hands tied. They have to jump through so many levels to get
a search warrant, which is ridiculous. The legal system in this country
protects criminals more than it does victims," he said

The problem may be worse on the Westbank reserve because of its close
proximity to suppliers in Kelowna. The band implemented a drug-free zone,
but found police wouldn't arrest anyone when drugs were changing hands
inside the zone, said Coun. Brian Eli

"We phone up the RCMP . . . They ask, `Did you get a picture? Do you have
evidence? No, you don't? Then we can't do anything.' RCMP tell us they have
to be there physically to do anything. It's a waste of time," he said. The
strategy calls for a three-pronged approach -prevention, harm reduction and
enforcement based on zero tolerance. Phillip said it will require
substantial funding, and perhaps greater powers for a tribal police force.
"Not only in one community, but in all communities. It's not a new idea, but
that idea now has greater merit than it did five years ago," he said

Chiefs promised to circulate a referendum on the issue among all band
members of the Okanagan Nation, which covers the Okanagan and much of the
Similkameen. Louie suggested one question: Do we want drug dealers on First
Nations reserves in the Okanagan? "I think our people will say of course
not. This campaign . . . has to stop it," he said

The solution is more difficult than anything chiefs, councillors or social
workers can accomplish, said Eli. He suggested organizing all band members
to help crush the problem

"We need to get our whole community together to go as a strong group," he
said

"You look off-reserve, where they have drug houses or hookers on the street
in their neighbourhood. People living on the street (co-operate) and get rid
of the problem -- not the mayors or the premier. It's the parents in that
block that do the action."