Rustenburg – Learners at Thlabane Technical and Commercial High School have vowed to spread the message about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol to others.
“It is important that people should be told about the dangers of using drugs and alcohol,” Grade 8 learner Kagiso Mabalane told SAnews on Tuesday.
June 26 marks International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and the Department of Basic Education has taken the fight against drug and alcohol abuse to schools.
Addressing learners at Thlabane Technical and Commercial High School, Basic Education Chief Director: Care and Support in Schools, Dr Faith Khumalo, warned the learners about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
She called on the learners to distance themselves from substances.
Dr Khumalo also expressed concern about taverns that are close to schools, saying communities should stand up against such things.
“This is something that we have to confront. There are laws that say alcohol should not be sold to children,” she said.
She called on the learners to focus on their studies.
Lieutenant Colonel of the Thlabane police, Faith Lesomo, appealed to the learners to work jointly with the police in getting rid of drugs in their communities.
She said police will continue to visit schools to create awareness about the dangers of substance abuse.
“Most crimes are committed after people had used drugs. As the police, we have a programme we use to assist drug addicts.
“The future is in your hands. It’s you who should make the decision to stop drug and alcohol abuse,” she said.
According to the department, the biggest problem among the learners is binge drinking, where they start by experimenting and ultimately get hooked.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, June 26 serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States of creating an international society free of drug abuse.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects themes for the International Day and launches campaigns to raise awareness about the global drug problem. Health is the on-going theme of the world drug campaign.
The UNODC often teams up with other organisations and encourages people in society to actively take part in these campaigns.
According to the UNODC, nearly 200 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics worldwide.
In support of this year’s commemoration, all schools are called upon to dedicate teaching time and hold events to highlight drug and substance use during the next term of school. – SAnews.gov.za
