“The police received a complaint whereby the two pupils were alleged to be smoking dagga at a school in the Midrand area,” said Constable Matome Tlamela, communications officer at the Midrand Police Station.
The pupils were confirmed to be 18 years old by their parents, and were arrested and detained at the station for possession and use of dagga.
“The pupils will appear at Midrand [Magistrates’] Court soon,” said Tlamela.
She also gave a few words of advice for school-going children regarding substance abuse. “Drugs and abusing alcohol may make you happy and help you cope with stress,” she said. “They can also cause problems, because they change the way your brain and body work.”
She added that substance abuse caused strains in relationships, physical and mental health problems, and could lead to problems at school. Not to mention getting in to trouble with law enforcement.
Pupils who were abusing drugs and alcohol were urged to contact the various resources available at the police.
“There are people who can help – the Midrand Victim Empowerment unit, the South African National Council of Alcoholism and drug dependence, the various Community Police Forums and the police,” said Tlamela.
What, in your opinion, is the extent of drug use in Midrand schools? Share your views in the comments section below.
