Secondary school in eMbalenhle take a stand against substance abuse

Learners at Sizwakele Secondary School took part in a Substance Abuse Awareness Day on February 19, following alarming incidents where some learners were found in possession of dagga, cigarettes, alcohol and vaping pipes during a random school search.

The initiative was organised in partnership with the police, the Department of Social Development and the Department of Health, as part of efforts to curb the growing challenge of drugs and weapons in schools.

According to school youth coach Simphiwe Manana, substance abuse is contributing to serious behavioural problems among learners.

“We are facing many challenges when it comes to learners’ behaviour because of substance abuse, even in school,” said Manana.

She revealed that some learners bring alcohol, smoking pipes, knives and pangas onto school premises.

“They start misbehaving in class and we have noticed that this problem is escalating daily. We have also observed that some learners are involved in gangsterism.

“After school, fights sometimes break out on their way home. Fortunately, these gang fights have not yet spilt into the school premises,” said Manana.

Manana said the awareness campaign aims to intensify safety measures and instil discipline among learners.

“Our goal is to build future leaders.

Together with the police, Social Development and Health departments, we are fighting to make our school drug- and weapon-free,” said Manana.

Manana added that substance abuse has already affected some learners’ performance.

“There are learners who were performing well in their studies, but after they started smoking drugs, they began misbehaving and neglecting their education.

“We are now facing a new challenge where certain learners have started smoking crystal meth. We need to stop this before it spreads like wildfire,” Manana said.

Constable Joyce Masina, a Social Crime Prevention officer at the South African Police Service in eMbalenhle, addressed learners during the campaign, warning them about the dangers of substance abuse and peer pressure.

“I know some of you got involved because you want to belong to certain groups due to peer pressure. When you can no longer support your addiction, you start thinking of ways to get money, which often leads to crime. We arrest you, and your future becomes compromised,” she said.

Masina encouraged learners who have not experimented with drugs to stay away and urged those already struggling with addiction to seek help.

“I encourage those who have not started to never start. Those who have already started must seek assistance to quit before it is too late,” she said.

The awareness day forms part of ongoing efforts to create a safe and supportive learning environment at the school while addressing the root causes of substance abuse among young people in the community.