Be cautious of drug dealers and abuse in and around local schools
Drug dealers are growing increasingly active in and around schools in the area and parents are urged to educate their children on drug abuse.
MALALANE – Although schools are supposed to be safe zones where children grow and learn, drug dealers are increasingly targeting children near schools.
On December 17 officers from KaMhlushwa SAPS were patrolling the area when they decided to search a spaza shop next to Sidlamafa Secondary School.
They found 18 tiles of heroin and three full moons of crack cocaine, which the shop owner told officers he usually got from Mbombela.
The 39-year-old was arrested and appeared in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court. According to Const Zithulele Mhlongo of KaMhlushwa SAPS, he was granted R3 000 bail and will appear in court again on February 1.
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This is not the only local school where drug dealers have been spotted. According to informants, schools in Komatipoort and Malalane are also targeted.
Drugs are not only sold in their pure forms, but transformed to look like, or added into, sweets such as lollipops, fizzy candy and sherbet straws. Locally, community members have come across dagga lollipops.
Parents are urged to teach their children never to accept sweets from strangers or even indiscriminately from friends. If something tastes different, stop eating it and notify a teacher, parent or adult immediately.
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Kids can easily grow addicted to a substance if they ingest it unknowingly and it is a struggle to break free from the addiction.
Drug dealers have also been known to use children to sell their wares as they get easier access to school grounds and learners are more likely to buy something from a friend than a stranger.
Local police try to regularly visit schools to educate kids about drug abuse and provided the following signs of abuse:
• Messy or unkempt appearance
• Strange marks or needle marks on arms or legs
• Burns or discolouration on fingers and lips
• Cash-flow problems
• Starting to avoid interaction with friends and family
• Suddenly stopping to do their favourite hobbies, school or social activities
• Secretive behaviour and strange phone calls or messages
• Severe mood swings, hostile behaviour or depression
• Frequently being sick.
If parents suspect their child is abusing drugs, there are also a few signs to look out for at home. Children tend to steal medicine to use to cover up side-effects of drugs or to sell, steal alcohol, money or cigarettes or have strange containers, bags or other possible items relating to drug abuse hidden in their room or a rarely used cupboard in the house.
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Parents shouldn’t tip-toe around the issue, but directly ask the child whether they are doing drugs. If they are unsure how to approach the subject, it is a good idea to phone a medical professional, helpline or therapist. It is essential that the child is referred to a rehabilitation centre or programme to get them clean as soon as possible.
Community members who suspect someone is a drug dealer or have evidence of the fact are urged to report it to their nearest police station as soon as possible.
