Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jan 2001 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: The Vancouver Sun 2001 Contact: 200 Granville Street, Ste.#1, Vancouver BC V6C 3N3 Fax: (604) 605-2323 Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/ Authors: Jim Beatty and Sarah Galashan VETERAN DRUG-ENFORCEMENT OFFICER DIES OF HEROIN, COCAINE OVERDOSE COURTENAY -- He was the local drug expert, the man who coordinated the RCMP's drug-awareness programs on much of Vancouver Island. Constable Barry Schneider spoke to school children, regularly lectured local audiences and planned the drug exhibits at community events. But shocked police officers in this small community revealed Thursday what they hadn't thought possible: the 43-year-old Schneider, a 23-year veteran of the force, died in November of a drug overdose. "We were completely devastated by this news," Courtenay Inspector Dave Zack said. "Barry had a tremendous knowledge as to all aspects of drug abuse." Schneider died Nov. 29 after collapsing on the kitchen floor of his home around noon. His panicked nine-year-old daughter Rachel ran next door to the home of another police officer, but efforts to revive him were in vain. Of the 600 people who attended his funeral, almost all believed Schneider had died of a heart attack. But a toxicology report done after the autopsy revealed the presence of a lethal dose of heroin and cocaine, forcing the RCMP to reopen the investigation into Schneider's death and the police handling of drugs. The initial toxicology report was delivered to police Dec. 15 and a special investigations unit from Vancouver was assigned to the case. When the toxicology results were confirmed Tuesday, officers decided to make the findings public. The 55 RCMP officers in Courtenay were told Wednesday and a news conference was held Thursday to inform the public. "Foul play is considered remote," RCMP Corporal Grant Learned told reporters. "Any one person, regardless of status in the community or position in the community, may be the victim of the power of seduction of drugs." Police admit Schneider may have got the drugs through his job as a police officer, but they still don't have all the answers. They can't say conclusively where he got the drugs, whether he was a regular user or whether anyone else was involved. Superintendent Jim Good, who is in charge of the RCMP on Vancouver Island, has assigned four senior officers to conduct a complete investigation of the death and answer all outstanding questions. While police officers said they were still numb, his family was devastated a second time by the news. "Hearing that drugs were involved in Barry's death comes as a complete shock to everyone and is devastating news to the entire family," said friend Greg Phelps, who refused to answer questions from reporters. Learned asked reporters to leave the family alone. "They have been hurt twice in perhaps the most difficult of ways." he said. "First, losing a [family member] and having such tragic news invade upon them." Members of the community were shocked by the news that a man who spoke so passionately about the perils of drug use could have fallen victim himself. "I listened to him give a talk to parents three years ago," said Jill Lane, the recently appointed chairwoman of the Courtenay school board. "It was very intense. He really wanted to get the message out." Lane acknowledged that the news will affect the children who take part in the drug-awareness programs, known as DARE, that Schneider worked to organize. "When the children hear of this . . . they'll be concerned," she said, adding that she does not yet know how the issue will be addressed in the schools. Jim Senior, a member of the local parent advisory committee, said there will likely be mixed reaction from the community. "Some of the parents will be up in arms," Senior said. "This could really hurt the [DARE] program." Senior's son recently went through the school-based drug awareness program. "The information had quite an impact him," Senior said, adding that he is sure his child, who enters high school next year, will understand the implications of the constable's death. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake