DRUG-FREE ZONE LOOKED AT FOR TWO LOCAL SCHOOLS

Students, teachers, parents, RCMP, city representatives and members of
the local chapter of Crimestoppers attended a meeting last Wednesday
to discuss the possibility of establishing Drug Free Zones around the
two Williams Lake high schools.

"Our youth today are the largest by volume group involved in organized
crime," said Pete Netherway, coordinator for the Kamloops and District
Crime Stoppers Association.

Netherway spoke to the group about how Drug Free Zones work, and what
it would take to get them started.

While the boundaries of the zones would still have to be established,
Netherway that through the program, the threat of stronger penalties
can help deter drug pushers away from schools.

"If you're using drugs, or you're trafficking, you're going to court,"
he said, adding that because of the Drug Free Zone, the Crown
prosecution can request double the fine for possession and triple the
fine for trafficking.

He said the boundaries of the Drug Free Zones often take in local
residences, which can be upsetting to any drug users or traffickers
living there, because of the constant threat of stiffer penalties.

"I can tell you categorically, if you institute this program, there
will be some drug dealers in Williams Lake that will not be happy," he
said.

All fines collected would go back into the Student Crimestoppers
program, which would be instrumental for getting the Drug Free Zones
up and running. So far, only Columneetza has a Student Crime Stoppers
group.

Crime Stoppers is a big part of the Drug Free Zones, he said, because
students know they can call the tips line anonymously and point law
enforcement to illegal drug activity.

"Kids actually start caring about what's happening because they see
something positive happening," he said.

At the meeting, the question arose who would be responsible for
deciding whether to implement the Drug Free Zones. Netherway said it
often starts with the school's student council. As elected
representatives of the school, they can choose to do what's best on
behalf of their fellow students, he said.

However, some students at the meeting felt that would be a lot to ask
of a few students, and questioned whether all students shouldn 't have
the opportunity to vote on whether to implement the program.

"With the present climate regarding the use of drugs, it would be
voted no," Netherway said, adding that while many students may agree
with the program, they may vote otherwise for fear there could be
"alienation and retribution for their vote."

If a vote were to be held, students should "have all the facts" about
the program beforehand, Netherway added.

"I don't think it should be a question of whether kids want it or
not," said Jim Ritchie, vice principal at Columneetza. Ritchie said
the School District and the city should be behind implementing the
program, instead of placing most of the burden on the students.

No matter who gets behind starting the program, RCMP Staff Sgt. Grant
Martin said the Williams Lake detachment would support having Drug
Free Zones for the high schools.

"This type of thing certainly gives us a lot more ammunition," he
said. "I think that would send a strong message to these drug
traffickers."

Following the meeting last week, District Principal Sandy Fukushima
told members of the school district's education committee that a
separate committee, made up of representatives of the different groups
that had attended the information meeting, will work together to try
to implement the Drug Free Zones.