Constable Dean Childs
RCMP, Kelowna Detachment

Constable Dean Childs was nominated for his work with Alternative Intervention for Marijuana Suspension (AIMS), which was designed to provide an alternative program for students caught for the first time with marijuana or its paraphernalia, and/or for coming to class under the influence. While there were avenues available to deal with these students, some educators believed that the methods were not addressing the true problem: marijuana use. Constable Childs took it upon himself in 2003 to address this undesirable situation. He recruited a working group and developed some ideas to combine the school suspension policy with RCMP alternative measures. He worked with Dr. Marvin Krank, an Okanagan University College professor whose research deals with modifying youth behaviour for their own health. Constable Childs worked with partners on the School District 23 Safe Schools Committee to develop this program. Participating students in the 2004-05 school year complete a self-report questionnaire and a 60-minute Motivational Interviewing Session with a qualified counsellor. The program has been well received, and preliminary results are showing a reduction in both initial and repeat offences by youths.