DRUG-FREE ZONES EXAMINED FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS

The school board is lending its support to the possible establishment of
"Drug Free Zones" around the high schools.

The Drug Free Zone would consist of a two-block radius around each of the
two secondary schools. Anyone caught in possession of illegal drugs or
non-prescription drugs would receive double the penalty. Also, the penalty
would be tripled for anyone caught with drugs for the purpose of
trafficking. Any probation and community service time would also be doubled.

"That includes residences in those areas," said District Principal Sandy
Fukishima, during a presentation to the school board June 26.

The money collected would then go back into the Student Crimestoppers
programs in the city. The drug free zone program would be run through the
Student Crimestoppers in the schools, Fukishima said.

Enforcement would involve support from the RCMP with noon-hour
surveillance, education, as well as locker checks. Fukishima added that all
calls to the RCMP within the Drug Free Zone would be classed as a priority
for response.

The district would need the support of the city in order to post signs
around the two secondary schools, and to create pamphlets describing the
Drug Free Zones, which students would then deliver to homes in the area.

While the endorsement by the school district is one more step toward
establishing Drug Free Zones, there is still much work to be done before
the program can be implemented.