Parents warned about new drug disguised as candy

The president of Operation Thiba Nyaope, Mr Terance Dzeli, has warned community members about the dangers of the new drug called Strawberry Crystal Meth.

“The drug is believed to be distributed through school vendors in local schools. It looks like a strawberry sweet or pop rocks. We are alerting parents to be aware and to start assessing their children,” he said.

Mr Dzeli said young people should not accept such candy because society is confronted with many challenges resulting from drugs.

“School teachers should also do assessment with school vendors selling food items for the children. It is important that school patrollers monitor around the exchange of the premises as it results in the exchange of drugs to pupils. It becomes dangerous to the pupils as they become violent towards each other, including their teachers. They are now operating in fear,” he said.

Mr Dzeli said they have completed an assessment at Tsosoloso Ya Afrika Comprehensive School, when the school principal became concerned about the behaviour of his pupils.

“The principal indicated that parents should be responsible and hands-on regarding their children’s activities at school. It is high-time that parents should do the parenting of their own children,” he said.

Mr Dzeli said the challenges they are confronted with today have resulted in a high rate of school drop-outs.

“The Department of Education needs to come up with a new programme that will help schools regarding the issue of drug addicts. The majority of addicts are school pupils,” he said.

The Tembisa SAPS communications officer, Captain Manyadza Ralidzivha, said they are appealing to members of the community, who know about drug dealers distributing the strawberry candy drug, to come forward immediately.