Atlas Combined School hosted a Mandela Day drug awareness campaign to educate the learners through arts performances about the danger of drug use on July 18.
The school invited all grades to partake in the drug campaign in celebration of the former president. They took part in different activities, including drama, music, speech presentation and theater.
Dudrah Moyo, residential director of Atlas Combined School, said they recently faced the challenge of drugs, not only as a school, but in the surrounding community as well.
“We are trying to educate our learners about the importance of education and try to warn them of the consequences of drug use,” said Moyo.
After the event, the top achievers and educators signed the wall of fame to petition against drug use. Moyo also added that the use of substances is affecting learners’ school results and changes their behaviour, their way of conduct becomes different.
Tabeth Chipandu Matutu, Atlas Combined School events chairperson, said they are working with The South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) and involving parents in keeping the school a drug-free environment.
“During the drama, there was a part where the addicted lady accidentally murdered her mother while she was under the influence.
“The message was clear, we were saying no to drugs and we understand that it needs all stakeholders to be united against it,” said Matutu.
“When it comes to social issues, we have an elderly educator at the school, Pretty Mwanza, whom the learners can talk to. She then evaluates if the learner needs further intervention or not,” added Matutu.
“The campaign was a success because we came with suggestions and strategies to avoid being attracted to drugs, at the end of the play, the learners advised each other not to use drugs and highlighted the negative impacts of drug use,” said Bethel Makombe, the school’s head boy.
“If we can abstain from drugs, we can allow the government to close in on the drug market that is becoming bigger and bigger in the country,” added Makombe.
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