Our Belief
Crime Stoppers believes that youth have the right to travel to and from school and attend school and their many activities free from violence and crime.

Our Purpose
We offer youth the tools to stand up against crime and violence, without fear of reprisal, through an anonymous TIPS-line, to get the information to those who can stop the crime or violence. The confidential TIPS-line is 1-800-222-8477 or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is committed to a safe, healthy, and happy community, and offers youth the opportunity to become responsible for their own well-being, and that of the community to which they belong. Crime Stoppers is funded by community donations through Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers Society, covering all schools in the Central Okanagan’s School District # 23.

Drug Free Zone
Drug Free Zones are not a magical cure or a dreamed up idea. They are based on actual legislation titled the ‘Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.’ This Act specifically singles out schools as special areas that drug dealers should stay away from. In Section 10 of the Act: Sentencing, it states 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 the age of 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 of drugs, or drugs knowingly being 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 a DFZ, it will be noted on the file that the incident occurred in a specific DFZ and that under Section 10, the RCMP request a stiffer penalty.
School District # 23 has taken a firm stand against drug use, possession, and trafficking and tougher penalties are being handed out in addition to any criminal charges that may arise. Principals can now suspend a student for up to ten days immediately followed by a hearing involving the youth and parents before a suspension committee.
At the set up or “designation” of a Drug Free Zone, there are school assemblies to inform all students and staff about the designation and to explain what it means and why it is happening. The assemblies are not designed to threaten anyone. They are simply an information session designed to ensure all parties understand the concept. There is, therefore, no excuse for not knowing the risk of using, possessing, or trafficking drugs near a school.
There is no illusion that this program alone will stop drug use amongst teens in our community. It will take much more. However, DFZ’s are one step that can be taken to help curb a youth drug epidemic. Concerned agencies are approaching this problem through a comprehensive approach of information, treatment and enforcement.
We encourage teens, parents and all others to get the real information on drug use and abuse and their effects on the individual, the family, and society. Please check sites such as Odd Squad, Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse, Community Anti-Drug Coalition, or Drug Free America.
Knowledge is power in dealing with drugs. Knowledge is power for youth wanting to do something to protect themselves from drug dealers and users.
If you have information about drug use, possession or trafficking, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).