DRUG SURVEY RIGHT ON THE MARK: RCMP

Williams Lake secondary students who conducted a survey on drug use at
their school were pretty much on target, according to local RCMP.

"The study seems reasonably accurate to me," says Const. Mark Goodall,
who is part of the plain clothes general investigation section of the
RCMP involved in drug trafficking investigations.

"Alcohol and marijuana use is quite prevalent and we are seeing more
and more youth using cocaine," says Goodall. "Teenage use of marijuana
is definitely an issue. We see lots and lots of that."

He says they are also seeing more and more use of pharmaceutical drugs
such as ecstasy and crystal meth amphetamine.

"These drugs weren't mentioned in the study which would have been
interesting," says Goodall.

He also says the problem with drugs in schools is not limited to
WLSS.

"I would say the problem would be a universal problem as opposed to
one specific school," says Goodall.

Generally, he says there has been an increase in the amount of cocaine
coming into the Williams Lake area over the past couple of years which
may account for the increased use of this drug by students.

"They don't seem to figure out any of this stuff. It's craziness," he
said when asked, why people were still using cocaine and other
pharmaceutical drugs when there is so much public education about the
health risks associated with these drugs and many news stories about
drug related deaths.

Staff Sgt. Grant Martin agrees the statistics gathered by the students
are a fair indication of drug use among students.

"It isn't shocking to me. It is what we know, that is why we are
working to partner with the schools and Community Policing to create
drug free zones around schools.

"If the proposal is accepted by the courts and prosecutors anyone
caught with drugs or growing drugs within a two-block area of a school
would get twice the normal penalty."

He says surveillance around schools would also be stepped up, and
calls about suspected drug trafficking in these areas would also take
priority.

He says Kamloops has adopted the drug free zone around schools program
and it has been working with great success.

"It's scary just how easily kids can obtain drugs," says
Martin.

He says the DARE drug and alcohol awareness program is targeted at the
Grade 5 level because studies show that by high school it is too late
to convince kids that drugs can be harmful.

DARE offers information on healthy life choices and how to say no to
drugs.