RCMP PRESENCE WON'T STOP USERS

Trustee KIM Van Tine is looking for a quick fix to a complicated issue
when he suggests police have the responsibility to solve a societal
problem.

The Kamloops school trustee wants local RCMP officials to explain why
there is so little enforcement to curb drug sales in and around
schools. He noted that drug suspensions are up over last year and he
suggested more enforcement by police officers might help reduce drug
use by students.

Van Tine said he wants to know from police where the issue fits into
the local detachment's priorities. "Where do our kids, being sold
drugs around school grounds, fit into their priorities?

While he's asking that question, he might also want to ask them what
their priorities are when it comes to the mugging of
grandmothers.

Obviously, the RCMP is concerned about drugs being sold to youths and
neither do they ignore the problem. Officers on patrol check out
suspicious circumstances involving young people and make an effort to
do what they can to interfere with drug use and sales.

However, arresting teenagers for drug offences isn't going to stop
them from using the substances. Drug patrols aren't going to turn up
enough dealers to stem the flow of drugs. Marching police and
drug-sniffing dogs through schools will be an inefficient use of time
and resources. It will also only help to create a confrontational
relationship between kids and cops.

The school board is already on the right track with its drug program.
A drug prevention and intervention co-ordinator was hired this fall on
a three-year contract to combat substance abuse among students.
Hopefully, that will also include alcohol because when it comes to
marijuana or alcohol abuse, alcohol is more likely to cause deaths.

If it's crystal meth or crack cocaine Van Time is worried about, then
law enforcement is only a small part of the overall solution. Finding
out why kids are turning to dangerous drugs will be far more
beneficial than asking police to spend more time rounding up the offenders.

Anyone addicted to a drug is going to find a source no matter how many
officers are on patrol. Convincing youths not to take a risk with
addictive drugs in the first place is the more progressive way for the
school district to go.

Van Tine should give the newly hire drug prevention co-ordinator time
to develop a program for the district before he puts the RCMP in the
middle of a hot political situation.