SAPS junior commissioner tackles substance abuse

SUBSTANCE abuse has become a major problem among the local youth, said W/O Leon Audh of the Greenwood Park SAPS. Even among primary school pupils.

According to Audh, the station has received the information from some of the local schools regarding the issue.

“Dagga and alcohol as well as benzene are the preferred substances. According to intelligence received from teachers and schools, we have determined that even children in Grade 7 are becoming involved,” he said.

Armed with this information, the station has called upon it’s newest weapon to help disarm the dire situation. The station’s newly-elected junior commissioner, Shival Pramjeeth, has begun hosting talks at primary schools to address substance abuse as well as violence and crime within the local schools.

“I think the pupils have taken the talks to heart. They genuinely seemed interested. I hope to see a difference in their behaviour and attitude towards these issues,” he said.

The primary factors that are facilitating substance abuse among the youth, said Audh, were peer pressure and an underlying environmental or psychological cause, such as abuse or an unhealthy atmosphere at home.

In addition to the talks, the SAPS will be working with the schools to develop an action plan to eliminate access to drugs and alcohol on campuses.
Pupil-run groups for addicted adolescents will also be initiated in order to encourage the pupils to seek help and get sober.

“The aim is to have these groups run by fellow former addicted youths. They will also be able to function as a support group for the others as they have walked the same road,” he said.

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