Learners educated about drugs
Grade Seven learners at Michael Zulu Primary School in Tsakane gathered to listen to education about drugs on Tuesday.
Members of the Tsakane Youth Development Programme, representatives from the department of community safety and the ward 83 youth and community safety desk visited the school with the aim of discouraging learners to be involved in drugs.
Speakers took turns educating the learners about the consequences of taking drugs and alcohol abuse. Vusi Nhlapho, from ward 83, advised children to avoid friends who try to convince them to take drugs.
He urged them to refuse being used by their parents to buy drugs and alcohol for them.
“If the police see you with drugs or alcohol you will be taken to the person who sent you and the person will be arrested,” said Nhlapho.
Talking about what he called a tendency of learners who come late to school, Nhlapho said the police and the metro have a new programme that deals with the late-comers at school. “If you are late for school you will be transported to school by a police vehicle,” explained Nhlapho.
Speaking on behalf of the youth development programme, chairman, Pule Moloi said taking drugs starts with taking a cigarette.
He also encouraged the learners not to allow peer pressure to make them take bad decisions that will cost them their brighter future.
“Today we have young people who regret the bad decisions that they took during their teenage stage,” said Moloi. He advised learners to ensure that the decisions that they take today are the ones that will make them live a healthier and good life forever.
Silas Matsoge, from the department of community safety, also appealed to the learners to avoid being the victims of child trafficking. “Others become the victims of child trafficking because they go out with people that they do not know because they have been promised drugs,” said Matsoge.
Sifiso Ngwenya (13) said he learnt that drugs are dangerous to his future. He said he will also tell the children of his age about the consequences of taking drugs.
“I will never do drugs because I want to focus on building my tomorrow and fulfil my dream of becoming a pilot one day,” concluded Sifiso.
