Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jun 2006 Source: North Shore News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 North Shore News Contact: http://www.nsnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/311 Author: Jing Yang MARCHERS CONFRONT DEALERS Squamish Event Aims To Drive Drug Sellers Out DRUMMING and singing broke the quiet morning last Saturday as a group of about 50 people from the Squamish First Nation marched through their reserve in West Vancouver to confront known drug dealers. "We want you to leave our reserve." "We don't want drugs anymore." "Crack is whack." Led by Doris Paul, founder of Caring For Our Youth, the rally consisted of committee members, Squamish Nation councillors, community members and their kids. The West Vancouver police, Squamish peacekeepers and the RCMP also accompanied them. Unlike the first rally two years ago when Paul and other community leaders warned drug dealers through a bullhorn they were being watched, this time, marchers knocked on their doors and had real conversations. "We want to let them know in a friendly way that we are here to support them, but if they don't stop dealing drugs, there will be consequences," said Byron Joseph, co-chairman of the Squamish Nation chiefs and council. Paul said it was the positive response to the first rally that inspired them to do a second one. "People really liked it," she said. "They (the drug dealers) got scared and some of them closed down their stores." "But then we got lazy and they picked it up again," she added. "That's why we need to do it again." This time, they did it with more courage and determination. "We love you very much, but there will be zero tolerance for your behaviour," Joseph firmly told a suspected drug dealer when he finally opened the door. Most of the targets who didn't take off before the event appeared cooperative. One of them even broke down in tears. "That's a good sign," said Paul. "He said he really needs help and I told him to come see me on Monday." Paul was also excited to see people, no longer fearful of retaliation, open their windows to show support for the cause, waving and clapping their hands. "And it's very symbolic to have more youths participating this year," she said. Carla George, a Squamish Nation councillor, took her three-year-old daughter to the rally because she thought it was important to make the changes through the next generation. "Let's make the young ones aware that it's ok not to drink or use drugs. Let's make some real changes," she said. Brian Campo, who took part in the rally, noted dealing with the drug problem is only the first step. "We have a lot of other problems like alcohol, but it's a good start," he said. Fred Harding of West Vancouver Police Department's First Nation Aboriginal Police Liaison was impressed the Squamish people have turned the first rally into such a powerful movement. "We are moving away from stigmatizing people who are fighting against addiction," he said. "We are coming together to support them, to show that everyone's a victim around here." He added the group is planning to bring this model to other aboriginal communities, such as the Sechelt First Nation, where the drug problem is even worse. "You look at how far we've come and you look at the road ahead, they are both significant distances," he said. Paul hopes to make the march an annual tradition in the community. "We need to keep the pressure on," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman