Dogs for Drug Free Schools Program

Two month old MOKO, handled by Cst Mahon, is the new "Dogs for Drug Free Schools" Chocolate Lab for MHHS, AJHS and 7 Elementary Schools.

The first year of the Dogs For Drug Free Schools Program in Medicine Hat has been one of development, learning, growth and exposure. In the spring of 2005 the Medicine Hat Police Service introduced two seven-week-old Labrador retrievers into the Medicine Hat Public and Catholic school systems. This program is intended to raise students' awareness regarding the consequences of drug use, and as a strategy of deterring drug use and possession in the school environment.

Over the past year companion dogs, Lilo and Fiddler have aided in the building of relationships between the student body and school resource officer, encouraged school spirit, and opened avenues to discuss drug issues amongst students and parents.

The primary component of the program is to provide education to youth and the community by demonstrating the abilities of a passively trained drug detection dog. This program has been designed to challenge youth into making good decisions about drugs, based on receiving relevant and current information. The presentation is a combination of lecture, discussion and Power point Slides about crystal meth, ecstasy, and other dangerous illegal substances. After sharing the information a demonstration of the dogs ability to find hidden drugs is then made. At the end of the presentation, students are provided the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback they think is relevant and "bond" with the dog.

Cst Zens and Lilo were recognized by the Solicitor General in May 2007 for their work with Dogs for Drug Free Schools.

The Presentation provides youth with honest factual information about drugs in a format that is engaging and suited to the needs of the audience. The purpose of the program is to educate with the goal of changing behavior. The enforcement component is only used as a last resort and only after the presentation has been made so that the
students fully understand the consequences that may occur if they choose to involve themselves with drugs. Empowering youth to make proper choices is the fundamental focus, with the question "What do You Deserve From Life?" as the underlying, guiding philosophy in determining proper choices.

The secondary component of the program is visibility. The dogs place in the school environment is a constant reminder to our students that we have the ability to locate drugs. The result is that very few students will bring drugs into the school because of the deterrence factor.

Many local organizations and businesses have recognized that drug use and possession in schools are not only a school issue but also that of a community. The Sunrise, Medicine Hat, and Saamis chapters of the Rotary Club along with the Medicine Hat Community Foundation, Knights of Columbus, Ridge Vet Clinic, Animal world, and Petland have provided financial support to ensure the long term success of the program.