Drug dealers target schools

Drugs and drug abuse is a serious problem in many North Coast schools, with children starting drugs as early as 12 years old.

The Courier visited eight schools in Stanger, Shakaskraal and Groutville where the main problem appears to be a lack of security in preventing dealers from accessing school pupils.

None of the teachers or pupils who spoke to the Courier wanted to be identified.

Dagga seems to be the most common drug, but there are many pupils who use harder drugs such as whoonga (a highly addictive drug cocktail consisting of heroin and a combination of chemicals that often includes rat poison).

At Shakaskraal Secondary, pupils said drug usage was very high.

“We sometimes get bullied and robbed by the boys who are on drugs and there are also girls who take drugs,” said one of the school’s grade 12 pupils.

According to the pupils, drug dealers are also a big problem.

“The security guards are trying their best to ensure that no weapons and drugs get into the school, however people from the nearby townships will come and sell drugs and weapons over the fence,” said one of the girls.

In Stanger South Secondary School the pupils said that their bags are being stolen by the boys who are using drugs.

“They do not bully us at all, but they always ask for money and steal our bags,” said the grade 11 boy.

Dagga is usually sold in slopes and a slope of dagga will cost from R2 to R5, with Whoonga starting from R25 a straw.

Stanger Secondary, Tshelenkosi Secondary, Stanger Manor secondary and Groutville Secondary School pupils said there is drug usage at their schools.

“Pupils who are on drugs usually cause disruption in class and it is difficult for us to deal with them because they are usually older than us,” said one of the boys.

One of the schools’ teachers said at his school they have a drug testing kit to identify those who are on drugs.

“When we suspect that a pupil is using drugs, we contact his or her parents and that pupil will be tested. After that we have organisations that work with the school on counselling pupils and some are sent to a rehabilitation centre,” said the teacher.

According to the teacher the kit was provided to the school by the department of education.

However not every school has a testing kit.

Stanger High School pupils said drugs are not an issue at their school because of the tight security.

At ML Sultan Secondary School grade 11 pupils said while drugs were a problem the teachers and governing body worked hard to control the situation.

“The popular spot previously for smoking is now closed and if a pupil is found in possession of drugs he or she may get expelled,” said one of the boys.

Cheryl Moodley from Destiny Youth Development Centre said they see school pupils from the age of 12 or 13 years who are dagga smokers.

“Last year we counseled about 150 children for dagga and whoonga dependence. Some of which were sent to rehabilitation centres,” said Moodley.

Destiny Youth Development Centre is a non profit organisation that deals with abusive relationships, substance abuse, relational problems and depression in Shakaskraal and surrounded areas.

To contact them call 032-9472121 or 083 943 0160.

Principals approached for comment said they are not allowed to speak to the media and referred us to the education department.

The department of education had not responded to our questions at the time of going to print.