Fort Simpson (May 10/04) - A Deh Cho school is taking the drug fight head on.

The first step for the RCMP and the Fort Simpson District Education Authority was to declare Thomas Simpson school a drug free zone.

Principal Robert Byatt estimated that eight per cent of the school's 130 junior high and high school students are periodically under the influence of drugs while on school grounds. At the District Education Authority (DEA) meeting on April 27, Byatt said he has strong indications that drugs are being dealt and used on school property.

Byatt said students getting high during school hours is impeding their academics.

"I feel powerless to do anything about it. It weakens me in my position (as principal)," Byatt said, and asked DEA members to support him in taking a strong stance.

RCMP Cpl. Al Shepherd, who attended the DEA meeting, said the police will investigate drug activity at the school, search individuals and lockers, if necessary, and make arrests.

Although marijuana is thought to be the most commonly used drug, Shepherd said big city problems such as crack cocaine and methamphetamine have reached Fort Simpson.

"We can't bury our heads in the sand, folks," he said.

DEA member Hazel Isaiah said, "Do what you have to do, zero tolerance (for drugs)."

Fellow trustee Kevin Allen predicted that it will only take one arrest at the school and drug activity will "slow right down."

Betty Hardisty, DEA chair, added, "It's a concern we've been dealing with for a long time. Maybe it should have happened a long time ago."