Local schools tackle drugs

As long as children want to taste the forbidden fruit, schools will have to deal with drugs, but how they handle it can make all the difference.

Ashton International College recently lost a court case to a magistrate parent, who wanted her son to be reinstated after the school expelled him for allegedly testing positive for drugs.

Ashton executive head, Joe Erasmus said this was not the ruling the school had hoped for.

“After all, every parent places their child or children in the school’s care every day and we are responsible for the well-being and safety of the other 1 112 students,” said Erasmus.

He said they will continue to strive for a drug-free campus and random drug tests will still be carried out.

While Ashton was the school in the limelight, both private and government schools on the Dolphin Coast generally test pupils for drugs a do routine drug searches on a regular basis.

Stanger Secondary deputy principal Robin Maharaj said personal and bag searches are carried out by the SAPS and the school security company at least twice a term.

“No drug testing is done at school, but if a pupil is found in possession of drugs, the police will arrest the pupil,” said Maharaj.

However Tongaat Secondary principal, Rajen Singh does conduct urine tests.

“If Clinpath sends us a positive test result, the parents are called in to assist the pupil in a drug rehabilitation process at their cost,” said Singh.

He said that so far, the affected parents have been very co-operative with the school in its fight against drug abuse.

“We have won the battle of substance abuse and can proudly state that the school is now a drug free zone.”

While the private schools take the drug policy very seriously, they seem to be more sensitive about the issue.

PLG Ballito Academy head, Ryan Doig said prevention is better than cure, which is why their pupils are regularly educated on the subject.

“If there is a problem, the pupil should not be condemned, but rather rehabilitated and supported by both the parents and the educational institution,” said Doig.

Crawford College North Coast principal André Loots agreed and said the school firmly believes pupils should be given the opportunity to rehabilitate.

“Regular searches and drug tests are done, which we call ‘search and rescue operations’,” said Loots.

“If a pupil is not a threat, the pupil, school and parents will commit to a plan of action and support that will consist of out-patient programmes, counselling and regular testing. Should the pupil continue to test positive, the school may ask the pupil to leave.”

He said the school is a drug and dangerous object free zone.

Trinityhouse Palm Lakes principal, Darren de Gouviea-Smith takes a much more understanding approach to the issue.

“As an overtly Christian school, we require our pupils to adopt the values and ethos of the school. The role of the school is not only to educate, but also to provide loving discipline where necessary. It is not our role to condemn pupils who test their boundaries and make mistakes. Rather to provide boundaries and remedial actions combined with constructive discipline,” said De Gouviea-Smith.

He said as the school is only into its second year, they have not felt the need to do random drug tests.

“As the school grows in numbers and pupils become more senior, we will implement a strategy should the need arise.”

In addition, he said their code of conduct stipulates that pupils may not be in possession of any illegal substances whilst on our premises.

“Drug awareness starts at home and at school we openly address the issue of drug abuse.We are fortunate to have a resident psychologist on site to assist all parties with awareness and guidance.”

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