‘Special of the day’ sold by hawkers at schools
There has been a sudden spike in terms of children testing positive for illegal substances and the cause might be closer to home than you think
POLOKWANE – This is according to the administrative manager for Sanca Far North, Amanda Swanepoel, who says children as young as eight or nine, who consumed sweets or even ice-cream bought from hawkers, have tested positive for illegal substances.
It was found that the children had not been consuming anything but ice-cream or sweets bought from hawkers on bicycles. These hawkers often frequent schools and sell what they call the ‘special of the day’.
According to Swanepoel, several parents recently visited the centre after acting on information that substances were sold with the ice-cream or sweets. They had witnessed a change in their children’s behaviour.
Most schools in the city have been warning learners not to buy anything from hawkers at the gates and have gone to extreme lengths to remove the hawkers from their premises.
According to Swanepoel, the most common drug used by these hawkers are dagga and nyoape, but other popular drugs include CAT and heroine.
She says the most common signs of a child consuming a possible illegal substance includes the child being irritable and moody, very energetic and then falling asleep and not being able to wake up in the mornings.
Treatment for children includes the child undergoing a rehabilitation programme and counselling.
“We only destroy the drugs and cannot open a case on behalf of the children and their parents. This responsibility lies with the parents,” she says.
She adds children are often bullied into not divulging information on the hawkers, which makes prosecution difficult.
Polokwane Police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, says they are aware of the situation, and calls on parents to open cases so official investigations can follow.
