HAY RIVER - Hay River has officially launched its new drug-free zone.

Its arrival was celebrated on Nov. 18 with a number of family events at the recreation centre, along with the distribution of information on what a drug-free zone actually means.

The new zone aims to eliminate possession and trafficking of illegal drugs in areas where youth congregate. It covers a section of the community along Woodland Drive from Harry Camsell School to the arena, including all the town's schools, the Hay River Community Youth Centre, Town Hall and NWT Centennial Library.

"This is phase one," said Mayor Kelly Schofield. "We're going to keep moving as we progress throughout the years and we're hoping that some of Hay River's parks will be in phase two. We'll just keep the committee going to keep working on it and keep expanding the zone as we see fit to areas where children play and children regularly are."

The new zone will be marked by signs, plus map displays, Schofield said. "So it will be very clear, very distinct that that's what the drug-free zone looks like, and there'll be signs posted all over to outline the border of it."

If someone is charged with possessing or trafficking illegal drugs inside the drug-free zone, it may be considered an aggravating factor by a court under Section 10 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

"We're hoping that the judge will take that and give them a stiffer sentence when it comes to the sentencing part of the trial," Schofield said.

The mayor believes the zone will make a difference in the community. Erin Griffiths, a parent of children in two of the schools covered by the drug-free zone, has high hopes for the new initiative.

"I think the drug-free zone is a fantastic idea for Hay River," she said. "I believe it's going to be effective. It will be a positive impact on our kids."

Griffiths said it would be nice to see the zone eventually expanded to include the downtown core. The idea of a drug-free zone was initially suggested to the town by Jodie Worden, the widow of Const. Christopher Worden. The officer was murdered in Hay River by drug trafficker Emrah Bulatci in October of 2007.

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