Learners demand Fastrack implementation of Drug Master Plan

They argued that the current strategies are good and if stakeholders and departments enhance implementation and monitoring of such plans. The challenge of drugs and substance abuse in schools will be eradicated.

They were speaking during the Provincial School Safety debates finals that were conducted at Middelburg in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality yesterday.
The topic for the 15 learners was ‘the impact of drugs and substance abuse towards youth’.

Each of the three regions in the province was represented by five learners.

The department, in partnership with its stakeholders, has developed a plan aimed at supporting school safety structures in schools including the implementation of strategies to minimize and root out criminal activities within schools.

During the discussions, some of the learners highlighted that drugs do not only make drug addicts behave violently in schools, but it also leads to increased rate of drop outs.
Substance abuse also affects the economy of the country because of the increased number of people with chronic diseases and this requires that government spend more money on health.

Learners also urged government to establish more recreational facilities in order to encourage learners to stay away from destructive behavior such as crime and experimenting with drugs. They also pleaded for increased support to parents and families of current and former dug addicts.
They believe that will assist in encouraging more drug addicts to be assisted.

Speaking on behalf of Mpumalanga SAPS, Brigadier Leonard Hlathi called for harsher sentencing of people who are found guilty of dealing in drugs. According to Hlathi, successful convictions of drug pushers will not only assist in ridding communities of drugs but it will also impact on crime prevention. He has also called on the learners to report anybody who tries to sell them drugs.

Meanwhile Shireen Marsh, Deputy Director for Partnerships in the Department urged learners to become ambassadors of school safety initiatives in their schools. She added, “Learners should become active agents of school safety strategy and initiatives in their schools and communities. They should also report crime suspects and those who are dealing with drugs without fear”.

Marsh also mentioned that learners who abuse drugs often threaten safety of both learners and educators. She explained that it affects school negatively because educators are constantly living in fear while they are at school. She also said, “Drugs addicts sometimes steal from other learners and educators in order to get money to feed their addiction. When they are high they sometimes behave in a violent manner”.

Marsh however acknowledged that there are various programmes that exist to promote the school safety and debates programme is one of those programmes. Other programmes that the DCSSL has include awareness campaigns on drugs and substance abuse, annual prison visits for secondary school learners at targeted secondary schools in collaboration with SAPS.

During the debates, Ehlanzeni Region was announced the best while Gert Sibande region was
named as runners up followed by Nkangala Region in the third place.

The best overall speaker was Thandolwethu Magagula from Ehlanzeni Region. He walked away with a tablet and R2000, 00 Edgars voucher. All other 14 learners were presented with medals, tablets and certificates.