Drugs ‘not welcome’

Drug use has become increasingly evident in many school environments and to combat this dangerous phenomenon, police, schools and other stakeholders have united to take a stand against it. Colonel Gawie Alberts, station commander of the Villieria police, recently addressed the Learner Representative Council (LRC) Members for 2014, teacher representatives, peer support group leaders, disciplinary officers, school counsellors, social workers and psychologists of local schools to discuss the dangers of illicit chemical substances on the leaders of the future.

Jacques Botes from the Stabilis Treatment Centre also informed school representatives on identifying the signs and symptoms of chemical substance abuse. Representatives of local schools were encouraged to apply the knowledge in their own school environments.

Alberts emphasised the importance of mutual participation between community members and organisations to support each other in creating a sense of community. He said that all members of the community are welcome to partake in the business of the Villieria police station through the Community Policing Forum (CPF). He said he wanted all residents to feel free to contact them whenever they needed any assistance. “Drug dealers, however, will not be welcome in the schools or streets of our community.”

Botes said that the open door policy of Alberts and his emphasis on co-operation between the community and community organisations generated a lot of positive energy for the future.

“People suffering from drug or alcohol addiction should break the silence by speaking to a professional. The Villieria police have a wonderful team of social crime prevention officers that will always be willing to assist a person in need,” Botes said.

He said the Mon Ami Trauma Troops and Stabilis Treatment Centre also seek to establish a closer relationship with local schools.