Violence and drugs in our schools

THE Comaro Chronicle recently asked the opinion of Dr Mashinee Naidoo, a specialist psychiatrist practising at Akeso Alberton Hospital, on violence and drug abuse at schools.

Research shows that the level of violence in South African schools has not increased in recent years and has remained fairly stable, although it still remains high. It is widespread and manifesting at a shocking rate. According to data from the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, most of the violence found in schools differs from the extreme incidents we have seen reported in the media recently, such as stabbings and murder. Most violence is in the form of bullying and psychological violence.

The problem is that if such behaviour is not recognised by parents, teachers or addressed by the school, with no interventions provided to children, then situations can escalate into violence that could be much more harmful.

Sexual violence in schools is also evident, as well as gang-related violence.

What are the underlying causes of children who turn to violence and drug abuse?

There is a great concern about the incidence of violent behaviour among children and adolescents. This complex and troubling issue needs to be carefully understood by parents, teachers, and other adults.

Children, as young as pre-schoolers, can show violent behaviour. Parents and other adults who witness this kind of behaviour may be concerned; however, they often hope that the young child will “grow out of it.” Violent behaviour in a child, at any age, always needs to be taken seriously. It should not be quickly dismissed as “just a phase the child is going through”.

Violent behaviour in children and adolescents can include a wide range of behaviours:

• Explosive temper tantrums;
• Physical aggression;
• Bullying;
• Fighting;
• Threats or attempts to hurt others (including thoughts of wanting to kill others);
• Use of weapons;
• Cruelty toward animals;
• Fire setting; and
• Intentional destruction of property and vandalism.

Factors which increases the risk of violent behaviour:

• Previous aggressive or violent behaviour
• Being the victim of physical abuse and/or sexual abuse
• Exposure to violence in the home and/or community
• Being the victim of bullying
• Genetic (family heredity) factors
• Exposure to violence in media (TV, movies, etc.)
• Use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Presence of firearms in the home
• Combination of stressful family socio-economic factors (poverty, severe deprivation, marital breakup, single parenting, unemployment, loss of support from extended family); and
• Brain damage from the head injury

To what degree do gangs play a role in violence and drug abuse?

Where there is a lot of gang violence in a community, it is difficult to keep any area of the community neutral territory, and that includes schools. Gang violence can affect learners on their way to and from school.

This violence can also erupt in schools, particularly where:

• Learners at the school are members of a gang;
• Schools have inadequate safety infrastructure around the school premises; and
• Access control is poorly monitored.

This gang activity, in and around schools, includes:

• Gangs robbing and/or threatening learners;
• Fighting, often including weapons; and
• Selling drugs to learners.

Gang members engage in a higher level of serious and violent crime than their peers who are not involved in gangs. It is clear that gangs, guns, drugs and violence are interconnected.

While violence in communities can increase the risk of violence in schools, this is not inevitable. Well-managed, safe schools can be protective and can have a positive influence on the safety of surrounding communities, particularly with regards to altering community norms on violence.

Is it the responsibility of the parents to educate and look for signs in preventing their children from turning to violence and drugs – or is it the responsibility of educational institutions?

Attitudes and actions of parents, caregivers and siblings have a strong impact on a child’s behaviour, as well as their norms and attitudes. This influences how the child interacts with those in their school and community.

Learners who have been victimised at home are at increased risk for violence and victimisation at school. If a child’s friends or peers bring illegal drugs or weapons to school, the child is at increased risk of experiencing violence.

Early warning signs include:

• Social withdrawal;
• Excessive feelings of isolation and feeling alone;
• Excessive feelings of rejection;
• Being a victim of violence;
• Feelings of being persecuted;
• Low school interest and poor academic performance;
• Expression of violence in writings and drawings;
• Uncontrolled, intense anger;
• Frequent loss of temper or ‘blow-ups’;
• Extreme irritability;
• Extreme impulsiveness;
• Becoming easily frustrated;
• Patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating, and bullying behaviours;
• History of discipline problems;
• History of violent and aggressive behaviour;
• Intolerance for differences, and prejudicial attitudes;
• Use of drugs and alcohol;
• Affiliation with gangs;
• Inappropriate access to firearms; and
• Serious threats of violence.

When warning signs indicate that danger is imminent, safety must always be the first and foremost consideration. Action must be taken immediately.

Imminent warning signs may include:

• Serious physical fighting with peers or family members;
• Severe destruction of property;
• Severe rage for seemingly minor reasons;
• Other self-injurious behaviours or threats of suicide;
• Threats of lethal violence;
• A detailed plan (time, place, and method) to harm or kill others, particularly if the child has a history of aggression or has attempted to carry out threats in the past; and
• Possession and/or use of firearms and other weapons.

Both parents and educators have a responsibility. Immediate intervention by school authorities and possibly law enforcement officers is needed when a child has a detailed plan to commit violence or is carrying a weapon. Parents should be informed immediately when students exhibit any threatening behaviour.

School communities also have the responsibility to seek assistance from child and family service providers, community mental health professionals, and other appropriate organisations.

Is it the parent’s responsibility to see signs in their children and be present enough to inform themselves and deal with these signs?

It is important to note that parents may often overlook such signs, believing them to be a normal part of puberty. It is of utmost importance for parents to be informed of signs that their children may be involved in abusing drugs.

Changes in behaviour:

• Changes in behaviour and mannerism;
• A sudden change of friends;
• Withdrawal from family and friends;
• Isolation;
• Lack of communication;
• Disinterested in activities they previously enjoyed; and
• Stealing money or other items from around the house.

Mood changes:

• Some teenagers who abuse drugs may become more irrational or dramatic in their actions;
• More irritable, verbally abusive, or even violent;
• May begin to threaten to drop out of school, run away from home, or destroy property;
• Depression, mood instability, and apathy are also warning signs of potential drug abuse and should not be taken lightly; and
• If you notice your child withdrawing from others and spending more time alone, it could be a sign of a larger substance use problem.

Changes in personality: 

• A red flag for drug abuse among teenagers is when they begin to show apathy, poor morale, low productivity, a lack of self-control, aggressive behaviour, or poor interactions with family members, friends, classmates, and teachers;
• Poor performance or behaviour in the classroom; and
• Loss of interest in favourite activities.

While it is easy to write off changes in personality as ‘normal teenage behaviour’, it is important not to ignore it, as these changes are often the earliest signs of a substance abuse disorder.

Physical changes:

Drug use takes a physical toll on the body, and some of the physical signs of drug abuse include:

• Bloodshot eyes;
• Widely dilated pupils;
• Sudden weight loss (or weight gain);
• Poor hygiene and carelessness with grooming;
• Frequent nosebleeds;
• Shakes or tremors;
• Red, flushed cheeks;
• Bruises or other unexplained injuries; and
• Drowsiness or fatigue.

Possession of drug paraphernalia

This is the most definitive sign that your child is abusing drugs. The possession of items such as smoking pipes, cigarette lighters, hypodermic needles, etc.

Violent behaviour in children

Depending on the age of the child, violent behaviour can range from hitting, kicking, and biting, to hurting animals, and criminal acts like arson.

Violent behaviour is destructive behaviour and can lead to severe consequences if left unmanaged. Many different factors that children are exposed to can increase the tendency for violent behaviour.

Warning signs of violent behaviour in children:

• Frequent episodes of uncontrolled rage and loss of temper;
• Intense anger;
• Easily experiencing frustration;
• Being very sensitive and irritable;
• Frequently acting impulsively; and
• Frequently soiling the bed.

Parents and teachers should be careful not to minimise the significance of these behaviours in children.

Causes of violence in children include:

• Exposure to abuse, whether physical, verbal, or sexual;
• Neglectful parenting: parents who do not supervise children or provide a supportive home environment;
• Emotional trauma and stress: being exposed to a traumatic event or experiencing constant stress can cause violent outbursts;
• Bullying: being a bully or being a bullying victim;
• Family history of violence: some medical research indicates there is a genetic link that can predispose someone to violent behaviour;
• Substance abuse: alcohol and other illegal substances can predispose children to aggression;
• Watching violence in the media: watching violent programming on television can encourage violence;
• The presence of weapons in the home: having access to guns, knives, etc., can make a child more prone to using these weapons;
• Playing violent video games: first-person shooter games are often very realistic; and
• Mental health conditions: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and anxiety are just some of the mental health conditions that can contribute to violent outbursts and behaviour.

Why do children become aggressive and violent?

There is no one single cause of aggression and violence. Many aggressive children and adolescents have grown up in violent homes and neighbourhoods, which are environmental factors.

Other factors include physical punishment or aggression by parents against the children; inhibited temperament of the child, where the child withdraws from unfamiliar situations, people, or environments; peer victimisation leading to aggressive fantasy resulting in aggression; and low self-esteem.

Although aggression increased with age as expected, the effect of socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, or gender had little effect on predicting violence.

What happens to children who get sent for counselling with psychologists after drug use or a violent incident – do the parents follow up?

Whenever a parent or another adult is concerned, they should immediately arrange for a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional, usually a psychiatrist, as early identification and treatment can often help.

The outcome of the assessment would indicate which is the most suitable treatment programme. The psychiatrist would most likely refer the child to a clinical psychologist for individual psychotherapy, however in younger children play therapy may be indicated.

The goals of treatment typically focus on helping the child to learn how to control his/her anger; express anger and frustrations in appropriate ways; be responsible for his/her actions; and accept consequences.

Various in-hospital programmes are available at psychiatric facilities, and this would be discussed with the family where hospitalisation is indicated.

In addition, family conflicts, school problems, and community issues will be addressed.

Can anything prevent violent behaviour in children?

Violent behaviour can be decreased or even prevented if risk factors are significantly reduced or eliminated. Efforts should be directed at dramatically decreasing the exposure of children and adolescents to violence in the home, community, and through the media. Clearly, violence leads to violence.

In addition, the following strategies can lessen or prevent violent behaviour:

• Prevention of child abuse (use of programmes such as parent training, family support programmes, etc.);
• Sex education and parenting programmes for adolescents;
• Early identification and intervention programmes for violent youngsters; and
• Monitoring the child’s viewing of violence during their screen time including access to the internet, tablets, smartphones, TV, videos, and movies.

Is it the school’s job to keep their children safe and away from drugs?

Teachers are not necessarily equipped to recognise identifiers of violence or where children might be more vulnerable to victimisation. They might have difficulty recognising antisocial behaviour.

Where those behaviours are identified, the response is usually punitive (punishment) and this often serves to exclude the child more, rather than actually treating underlying symptoms. Instead of using a holistic approach to prevent violence, many schools rather just respond to incidents when they escalate.

There may be failings within the school system; however one also needs to look at other role-players like parents, caregivers, law enforcement and communities.

What happens to the children who have parents or guardians in their lives who do not take up this responsibility?

Unfortunately, these children may end up suffering from severe substance use disorders, psychiatric conditions that are untreated or become repeated offenders of the law.

Can any measures be put in place to provide support for the children that get “left behind” in this respect?

• Schools need to partner with the SAPS in enforcing the search for weapons that are brought into schools.
• Life orientation taught at schools should help to build pupils’ resilience.
• Social workers should visit schools and work with school-based support teams to proactively tackle signs of aggression and other related behaviour.
• Parents are also being urged to watch out for these signs in their children.

Why is there so much violence in schools?

As mentioned above, school violence is usually caused by a number of factors and is not limited to the school premises. It includes violence that occurs when walking to or from school, where the school has no control over what happens.

Much of the violence includes learner-on-learner violence, gender aggression, bumping and shouting, and sometimes more serious bullying, where a group of children would extort others by blocking the gate unless they pay. Unfortunately, these things are quite endemic in schools.

We have a social system where we resort to violence to resolve problems, and many parents also use corporal punishment to try to discipline children. This communicates a message that violence is okay and this is how we solve problems.

About the Akeso Group

Akeso is a group of private in-patient psychiatric hospitals, and is part of the Netcare Group. Akeso provides individual, integrated and family-oriented treatment in specialised in-patient treatment facilities, for a range of psychiatric, psychological and addictive conditions.

Please visit www.akeso.co.za, email info@akeso.co.za, or contact them on 011 301 0369 for further information. In the event of a psychological crisis, please call 0861 435 787 for assistance. Contact Akeso Alberton on 087 098 0456 and Akeso Parktown on 087 098 0458.