Robin Hills Primary learns about the dangers of substance abuse

To fight the scourge of drugs in the community, various entities have banded together with a plan of action.

The Linden Police Station’s outreach unit, Gauteng Community Safety, Windsor Anti-Drug Coalition (formerly known as the local drug action committee) Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Gocta) and Linden Community Policing Forum (CPF) hosted a joint drug awareness campaign.

The campaign was held at Robin Hills Primary School and targeted children in Grade 5, warning them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse.

Debbie Hanekom from the CPF said the reason they host campaigns at schools is to stress the dangers of drugs and the fear that children are targeted as drug runners.

“We want our children in schools to be aware of the dangers of drugs and their effects on families,” said Hanekom. “It is important to talk to children because our community is rife with drug use and they must know the implications as they are targeted to be drug runners for the dealers.

We want to prevent such situations from occurring. We’ve got teams that go to primary and high schools at least twice a month and speak to the children. We also work well with the principal and teachers of the schools.”

Linden police’s Constable Takalani Matumba also spoke on the dangers of bullying and drug use in children that leads to stealing, while Vathiswa Mhambi from the Gauteng Community Safety and Geoff Leach from the CPF discussed the difference between legal and illegal drugs and how it damages children’s brains.

Cogta’s Sibongile Lindi encouraged the children to work hard for a brighter future and stay away from drugs and alcohol abuse.

ALSO READ: Youth crime prevention a primary focus for Linden police