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Pubdate: Fri, 07 May 2004 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Abbotsford Times Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?217 (Drug-Free Zones) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) TRUSTEE PROPOSES DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS, DRUG-FREE ZONES FOR SCHOOLS; STIFFER PENALTIES ABBOTSFORD - Drug-sniffing dogs could be in Abbotsford schools as early as September if a school board motion passes May 17. Trustee Uultsje DeJong introduced the motion, saying "I think the drug issue itself is high on all trustees' list. . . . We're going to do what we can to try to stop it." The motion calls for the school district, Abbotsford police department, federal Crown prosecutor's office and the municipality to create two-block drug-free zones around schools, as well as using drug-detection dogs. DeJong proposes that anyone -- students or the public -- caught disobeying drug laws within the zones be subject to stricter penalties. Anyone caught with drugs for the purpose of trafficking would face triple the normal penalty, including fines, probation, community service hours or jail time. Anyone caught with drugs for personal use will be subject to twice the usual penalties. "It's meant to be a deterrence," said DeJong. "If we're serious about the drug problem . . . we need to make sure we do this." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom