They are based on recent legislation called the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This act specifically singles out schools as special areas that drug dealers should best stay away from. In Section 10, Sentencing it says that there should be tougher penalties for those trafficking drugs near schools, for those trafficking drugs to persons under 18 and for those having persons under 18 traffic for them. Trafficking is defined in the act as selling, giving, transporting, transferring, sending or delivering drugs. As well the act also includes the selling of prescriptions as trafficking.
Possession includes personal possession or knowingly in the custody of another person or in a place.
The RCMP has agreed that those caught in possession of drugs in a Drug Free Zone will be charged with no discretion for members to forgo charges. In every case involving drug charges in in a DFZ, it will noted on the file that then incident occurred in the specific DFZ and that under Section 10, they request a stiffer penalty. Principals can now suspend up to ten days immediately followed by a hearing involving the youth and parents before a suspension committee. The assemblies are not designed to threaten anyone. They are simply information session to make sure that the concept is realized and understood.