Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jan 2001
Source: Peace River Block Daily News (Canada)
Contact:  901 - 100th Ave., Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 1W2
Fax: (250) 782-6770
Website: http://www.sterlingnews.com/Peace/
Author: Mark Nielsen

SCHOOLS NOW DRUG FREE ZONES

With the help of 80 signs posted around Dawson Creek and Pouce Coupe, local 
schools are being staked out as drug free zones.

The signs designate a two-block radius around each school where anyone 
caught  with even a small quantity of illegal drugs or narcotics within 
will be subject to a zero tolerance policy.

"The objective of the drug free zone area is to see if we can maximize the 
penalties with the co-operation of the justice system for those that are 
caught within the zone," said Dawson Creek RCMP Const. Geri Demyen.

They'll face penalties twice the norm and they won't be able to get away 
with an unconditional discharge.

A ceremony acknowledging the start of the new rules was held Friday. Along 
with representatives of the groups behind the effort, some grade seven 
students  from Central Middle School were on hand, and most were supportive 
of the  tough new measures.

"It's a great idea because if you're outside doing something or playing 
with your  friends, you're not going to be pressured into something you 
don't want to do,"  said Katie Harris.

Michael Aven, meanwhile, said that drugs have no place in school and that 
the  zones will "help a lot."

Anja Mineault said there will be less peer pressure now. "If you're around 
the  school then you're not getting pressured to do drugs," she said.

Key to the campaign is making people aware of exactly what implications are 
for  drug free zones. Over the next few weeks, a media blitz will be 
launched to get  that message out.

Behind the effort are the school district, Dawson Creek RCMP, South Peace 
Crime Prevention Association, City of Dawson Creek, and The Sign Shop, who 
made a donation of signs for the effort.

"If it can keep one child off drugs, then it's well, well worth it," said 
Leo  Offerson of The Sign Shop.
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