Pubdate: Wed, 01 Mar 2000 Source: Oliver Chronicle (CN BC) Copyright: 2000 Oliver Chronicle Contact: Box 880, Oliver BC V0H 1T0 Fax: (250)498-3966 Website: http://www.oliverchronicle.com/ Author: Wendy Johnson 'DRUG-FREE' ZONE IN WORKS FOR SOSS The area around Southern Okanagan Secondary School may soon be declared a "Drug-free Zone." If that happens, the price of doing business in the illegal drug trade will definitely get more expensive. Sgt. Bryan Reid of the Oliver RCMP detachment is championing the program which originated in Kamloops and has spread to other BC communities, including Kelowna and Penticton. The program stipulates that a certain radius will be incorporated around the school and the neighbourhood and that radius will be designated hands-off to drug pushers and users. That means anyone caught in possession of drugs, trafficking in drugs or possession for the purpose of trafficking within the zone will face much stiffer consequences in the court system. Under the Drug Enforcement Act, a judge will be entitled to double the fine or probation for anyone caught in possession inside the Drug Free Zone, and will also be able to triple the penalty for anyone found guilty of trafficking in the designated zone, said Reid. The proposal was brought to the School District #53 board meeting last week. Osoyoos and Keremeos have already expressed an interest in the program. District superintendent Brian Fox said a meeting between teachers, RCMP officers, trustees, administrators and members of the SOSS Parent Advisory Committee will be held early next month and will focus on the aims and benefits of the program. If there is a high level of interest in the program, an informational meeting involving parents will be called. The Drug Free Zone would be tailored for the three communities and would likely be in place by this September, said Fox. Reid was first questioned about the program at an SOSS PAC meeting last fall, and subsequently inquired about its objectives and implementation procedures. "Basically it is an awareness program," he explained, noting signs would be erected outside the school grounds warning that a Drug Free Zone is in effect and violators could expect punishment in the courts. - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst