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. 
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