ASSEMBLY TO CONSIDER BUSES BEING DRUG-FREE SCHOOL ZONES

TRENTON -- School buses could soon be considered drug-free school zones
which would help close a long-running loophole in anti-drug laws.

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smith would classify buses as
drug-free school zones increasing the penalties for drug offenses committed
on them.

Presently, penalties are upgraded for drug offenses within drug-free school
zones -- areas stretching 1,000 feet around any school, but no such law
exists for school buses.

"Once a child is on the bus they are now under the care and custody of the
school district Using marijuana or any other drug in the presence of
children -- at a school or on a school bus -- is harmful to children and
should not be tolerated," Smith, D-Gloucester, said.

"This measure would ensure drug dealers and substance abusers don't skirt
tougher prosecution because of technical interpretations."

Members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the bill
Thursday, readying it for a vote on the Assembly floor.

It comes in response to a Mercer County bus driver who was charged with four
drug offenses while driving a bus load of kindergartners on a field trip to
the Jersey Shore.

Smith, a municipal prosecutor, said school buses are not deemed drug-free
areas. Once they pull within 1,000 feet of a school the higher penalties
kick in, he said.

In 1987, the state Legislature passed the law authorizing communities to
establish the drug-free zones.

Distribution of even a small amount of marijuana in a drug-free zone is
punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and 10 years in prison, under state
law. Penalties for drugs such as cocaine, crack and heroin are even more
severe.

"Obviously it seems like it would make sense. We want to discourage any type
of drug activity on buses," said Michael Doherty, R-Warren/Hunterdon. It
makes sense."