POLICE crime statistics have shown that Alexandra is awash with drugs and the Addicted2Life anti-substance abuse programme, which involved pupils from Eastbank High School, could not have come at a better time.
The programme targets Grade 8 pupils and above, and is specially designed for today’s youth who have a short attention span, enjoy action and the use of immediate and interactive communication tools, who are cynical about life and ready to take risks.
The programme, which lasts for two-and-a-half hours, presents five separate experiences.
At Eastbank, participants learnt about the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and inhalants on the body and the brain, and how to deal with peer pressure.
Topics such as the dangers of alcohol and irresponsible drinking were specifically dealt with. After participating in the Addicted2Life programme:
· participants’ knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drugs on the brain and body increased
· approximately 30 percent of the participants indicated an intention to change their behaviour
· 70 percent demonstrated that they learnt something new, and
· Teachers gained firsthand information on how to identify substance abuse in their classrooms.
Using remote control units, the pupils’ knowledge and intention to change their behaviour was tested. The anonymous answers were displayed live on a big screen providing instant feedback for teachers and students alike.
Teachers attending the programme with their students are accommodated for free and receive a free teachers’ guide with practical exercises to reinforce the learning back in the classroom. During the screening, prizes were also awarded to winners of the knowledge game to add a fun and attention-grabbing element.
