‘Space muffin’ pupils back at school

THREE Empangeni pupils who were hospitalised after inadvertently eating suspected drug infused muffins almost two weeks ago, are back in class at Old Mill High School.
The Grade 10 girls collapsed during a lesson after been given the treats by another Grade 10 boy during the morning school break.

The 16-year-old boy, who was subsequently taken in for questioning by police, admitted to taking the muffins from an unknown person outside the school gates because he was reportedly hungry. He was later released and has since attended counselling sessions.

According to Empangeni SAPS spokesperson, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, no arrests have been made to date.
‘Unless the boy identifies the person who gave him the muffins, we will not be able to make an arrest. The boy admitted to willingly taking the muffins because he reportedly comes from a poor family and did not have anything to eat on that day,’ said Mdlalose.

Principal of Old Mill High School, LM Mbambo, confirmed that the girls had been treated at hospital before being discharged.
‘We invited the parents of the boy last week to discuss the issue as we want to get to the bottom of this incident. We want to know who gave the boy the muffins as we do not want our children accepting food from strangers,’ added Mbambo.

Vicious cycle
The KZN Department of Education said distributing ‘space muffins’, as they are more commonly known, to lure teenagers into a vicious drug cycle was becoming an increasing problem at schools throughout the province.

Spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi emphasised that pupils should not take food from strangers.

‘Equally disturbing is the fact that there are adults who bake such drug muffins. Children who become ‘high’ once eating the muffins are not drug takers themselves. This treat is usually supplied for three months free of charge to get teenagers hooked onto the drugs.

‘Schools throughout the province in drug infested areas have been targeted. Once the drugs are in the blood system, teenagers chase after these sellers,’ added Mahlambi.

He urged community members to take a strong stance against the infiltration of drugs in schools.
‘Although no arrests have been made, we hope the police will do their part and create awareness among both parents and children.’

7 OCTOBER

Spiked muffins at ‘high’ school

EATING suspected ‘drug infused’ muffins during lunch break had near fatal consequences for three 16-year-old pupils.

They were rushed to hospital on Thursday shortly after collapsing during class at Old Mill High School in Empangeni.

Visibly ‘high’ and in a ‘drunken’ state, the grade 10 trio were first carried into the administration block by other pupils.

The girls had reportedly been given the ‘space muffin’ treats by another grade 10 boy during the morning recess.

Emergency services responded to the scene within minutes and the three, who had passed out by the time paramedics arrived, were rushed to hospital for medical treatment.

A 16-year-old boy was taken in for questioning by police but was subsequently released after admitting to taking the muffins from an unknown person outside the school gates.

‘He admitted to giving the muffins to his school mates but also appeared drugged after eating it himself.

‘We advised his parents to take him to hospital as well.

‘We were unable to send any muffin samples to the laboratory for testing so no case was opened.

‘We are however still following up on leads,’ said Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose of Empangeni SAP.

There is also a possibility the muffins could have had other contaminants.

Shocked

Principal of Old Mill High School, LM Mbambo told the Zululand Observer they were ‘shocked’ by the incident.

‘Our school is against the selling of any items outside the school property to avoid incidents of this nature.

‘We only allow the selling of food items from our tuck shop.

‘The pupil claimed someone gave him the muffins but we are waiting for a report from the police,’ Mbambo added.

SANCA Zululand Director Lyn Williams said ‘dagga cookies’ had in the past been discovered at other schools in Zululand and at teen parties.

‘This is a ploy to get innocent and vulnerable teens hooked into a vicious cycle. Drugs are now being pushed by young people.

‘Some pupils try it out or inadvertently are drawn into the cycle, but teens must know the dangers and consequences of taking drugs.

‘This includes among others unprotected sex, teen pregnancies, increased violence, dropping out of school and aggressive behaviour,’ added Williams.

Police warned pupils to refrain from accepting food items from unknown people.

‘People are supplying drugs everywhere including schools and pupils must be aware of these practices.’

4 OCTOBER

Pupils ‘high’ on drug muffins

MUNCHING on ‘drug infused’ muffins during lunch break had near fatal consequences for three 16-year-old pupils, who were rushed to hospital on Thursday shortly after collapsing during class at Old Mill High School in Empangeni.

Visibly ‘high’ and in a drunken state, the grade 10 trio was carried into the administration block by other peers after unknowingly eating the ‘space muffins’ as more commonly known.

The girls had reportedly been given the treats by another grade 10 boy during the morning school break. He was taken in for questioning by the police but subsequently released after admitting to taking the muffins from an unknown person outside the school gates.

Update to follow