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Drug-free zone another step closer

Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - School representatives and public officials gathered last Tuesday to discuss how the NWT's first drug-free zone will be implemented.

Mayor Gordon Van Tighem, Insp. Roch Fortin and Yk1 superintendent Metro Huculak gathered with student representatives from both school boards and RCMP officers to discuss details on how the initiative will take form.

"It's more than just a sign," said Fortin. "The greatness of this project is that people get together to make this work. There's some incredible people behind this sign."

Although drugs are obviously illegal in all areas of the city, the concept of a drug- free zone stems from section 10 of the Criminal Code. That section states that a person could receive a more severe sentence if caught trafficking in an area near a school, or near an area frequented by persons under the age of 18.

Under this law, trafficking around youth is a factor that can be considered as severe as if the person was also caught in possession of a weapon, or used violence when arrested.

Yellowknife's drug-free zone will be around St. Patrick and Sir John Franklin high schools, and will include Weledeh and the Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre.

In addition to allowing greater powers of punishment, drug-free zones are also about educating the public, said Van Tighem.

"It's another step in public education," he said.

The RCMP has appointed one officer, Const. Louis-Philippe Goulet, to educate students about drugs. Booklets, pamphlets, and business cards are also being prepared to hand out to the students.

Nickie Gordon, chair of the subcommittee for drug-free zones, said that the initiative should be effective by Apr. 3.