Sinoville schools hit by ‘hard’ drugs crisis – expert
No random drug tests had been conducted at these schools for the past two years or so.
The use of highly-addictive “hard” drugs, such as cat and nyaope, is on the increase among pupils in Sinoville high schools.
CEO of the Sinoville Crisis Centre (SCC) Colleen Strauss said without random drug testing at these schools, it would be difficult to identify users and help them and their parents at an early stage.
Since high school learners hid their addiction, it was also often wrongfully diagnosed as depression or bipolar mood disorder – without addressing the drug addiction.
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Strauss said drug abuse by Gauteng public schools had escalated at an alarming pace lately since no random drug tests had been conducted at these schools in the last two years.
“Drug dealers and addicts know that is it difficult to take effective steps to combat drug abuse.
“The use of cat, methcathinone, mephedrone, dagga and nyaope (a cocktail of dagga, heroin, anti-retroviral drugs, rat poison and acid) is increasing,” said Strauss.
“Drug-related crime has risen by about 200 percent in our area in the past month.”
But the statistics may, however, not be an accurate reflection of the true extent of the problem, she said.
The SCC intervenes with practical and emotional assistance and trauma debriefing in the jurisdiction area of the Sinoville police station.
“The statistics only indicate the number of parents prepared to buy a drug test themselves for testing – not the parents who did not have money and did not return to the SCC.”
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The SCC requested Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi last year to intervene at grassroots level by subjecting high school pupils to random drug testing.
This was after Lesufi suggested in a media interview that pupils should undergo regular drug testing as well as testing before they were admitted to secondary schooling.
Nothing has, however, been forthcoming since then.
“It would be wonderful if drug test suppliers can donate kits to help combat the drug problem. Our children are after all our future.”
As part of the battle against drugs, the SCC and the Sinoville community will march against drugs on 25 April.
The march will kick off at the Spar Montana and go via Sefako Makgatho Drive, to the McDonald’s at Kolonnade Shopping Centre.
It is expected to start between 09:00 to 10:00 in the morning.
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