STUDENTS NEED A 'DRUG LINE'

Students in Burnaby need an anonymous hotline to protect them from
drug dealers and the drug trade, say Team Burnaby trustee candidates.

The seven-member school board slate made that announcement earlier
this week, saying that crime in the district is affecting students.

"Crime is an education issue the incumbents haven't acknowledged,"
said candidate Rich Baerg in the original announcement. "Kids have to
have safe places to learn and a feeling of overall security. ... Kids
need no longer be intimidated by the drug dealers who now frequent
our schools."

But current school board chair and Burnaby Citizens' candidate Mondee
Redman said the plan wasn't particularly useful - or necessary.

She said that the district already has several programs to deal with
such issues - including RCMP school liaisons at each secondary
school, district youth workers and programs aimed at keeping at-risk
students in school, to name a few, not to mention national programs
like the Kids Help Line and Crimestoppers - and she doesn't see the
point in doubling up when resources are needed in so many other areas.

"No, this is not to say there are not drugs in our schools. ... They
were there when I was in school, they are there now," she agreed, but
said Team has overblown the concern.

"I just don't think this is an overwhelming issue here. ... If you
want to look at (the issue of youth and drugs) ... what we need is
more treatment beds for young people."

She also noted that the district focuses on education for both youth
and parents, such as an upcoming parent forum set for Nov. 24 on drug
awareness and education.

She also said the focus on crime for both council and trustee
candidates with Team was getting to be a bit much.

"It's like they're Chicken Little - the is falling. - I just don't
like the negative bent (on the campaign)."

Current district parent advisory chair Brian Joe agreed, saying that
in his 12 years as a parent in the district, he's heard little in the
way of concern about drug dealers near schools.

"I can honestly say that it hasn't been an issue. I'm a realist, and
I know there are drugs in the school. If you went to any school in
B.C. on any given day, there are going to be drugs of some kind
there, we're certainly not blind to that.

"In my personal opininion - as an involved parent - it appears to be
a little bit of fear-mongering."

When Baerg spoke to the NOW on Wednesday, he said the concern was
something he was hearing from residents, parents and fellow candidates.

He also said that he was aware of at least two tip lines - one
specifically for bullying - successfully set up in other disricts.

"For the last five months, I've been working on (a site) near Main
and Hastings and every day I see what happens to adults who are
addicted. I see the end result ... (a tip line) is not going to cost
a lot of money, and it's our kids' lives at stake. If we can do
something, we will."

He said that youth face peer pressure and intimidation when it comes
to the drug trade, which makes it unlikely they will turn to a
liaison officer or school administration if there's a problem.

Baerg also says the council candidates for Team are committed to
hiring 36 new RCMP officers, which will also help the schools.