Pupils pledge to resist drugs

According to the school’s coordinator for Drug-Free Marshalls and Truth About Drugs, Philippa Roborg-Sondergaard, drug use in schools had increased over the years.

“With drug dealers right inside many schools and persuading youngsters to buy or try drugs, there is an urgent need to educate young people about drugs and the devastating repercussions they could have on their lives,” said Roborg-Sondergaard.

The pupils took to the streets and marched against drug usage in their school as well as other schools in Midrand.

Accompanying them were officials from the Midrand police station including Constable Nathi Belebesi from the Crime Prevention Unit, Vuyo Hloti from the Youth Desk and Billy Rudlin, Chairman of the Midrand Community Policing Forum.

All pupils, teachers and invited guests in attendance took a drug-free pledge.

One of the coordinators, Mau Meiring said, “Education is the most efficient way to bring the truth about drugs to the youth today.”

“It gives them the knowledge to make their own decisions in becoming drug-free. Also important is gaining the support of members of the community and police who work within schools to help bring solutions to the drug problems faced by the youth.”

Executive Principal Sonja Anderson-Morshead said it was vital that all schools introduce a drug-free educational programme so that they could impart the necessary information at an early age to their pupils about what drugs are and how they can destroy their lives and the lives of others around them.

“We want our pupils to make the right choices and become competent and able to succeed in life and we challenge all schools, starting with those in Midrand, to join the school in launching this programme in their schools so that we can work together to create more drug-free schools throughout South Africa.”

Members of the public are welcome to take part and be involved in the initiative.

Details: Mau Meiring 076-191-0538, www.drugfreeworld.org