South Africa: Minister Debbie Schäfer On Learners Testing Positive for Drugs

Sudáfrica/Septiembre de 2017/Fuente: All Africa

Resumen:  El ministro Schafer preocupado ya que el 66,7% de los estudiantes que tomaron drogas fueron positivos. Las estadísticas recientes muestran el grado de abuso de sustancias por parte de nuestros jóvenes en algunas de nuestras comunidades. Especialmente preocupante es que este problema se extiende no sólo a los estudiantes de secundaria, sino también a los estudiantes de primaria. Durante la primera mitad de 2017, se realizaron varias pruebas de drogas en varias escuelas donde se sospecha razonablemente que los estudiantes están bajo la influencia de sustancias ilegales. Las pruebas sólo se llevaron a cabo en estudiantes que ya habían sido sospechosos de abuso de sustancias. Un total de 360 estudiantes de primaria de 36 escuelas fueron sometidos a pruebas de drogas. De éstos, 229 dieron positivo. Un total de 605 estudiantes de secundaria de 17 escuelas fueron examinados para drogas – de estos 415 positivos.

Minister Schafer concerned as 66.7% of learners tested for drugs were positive

Recent statistics show the extent of substance abuse by our youth in some of our communities. Particularly concerning is that this problem extends not only to high school learners, but primary school learners too.

During the first half of 2017, a number of drug tests were conducted in various schools where there has been reasonable suspicion that learners are under the influence of illegal substances.

Tests were only conducted on learners who had already been suspected of substance abuse.

A total of 360 primary school learners from 36 schools were tested for drugs. Of these, 229 tested positive. A total of 605 high school learners from 17 schools were tested for drugs – of these 415 tested positive.

I am shocked at these results.

Safe and secure learning environments are essential if we are to ensure that quality education is delivered. It is imperative that our schools remain drug free.

It is therefore vital that parents, community members and learners are aware of the programmes and support mechanisms on offer to deal with such a scourge.

As primary caregivers, parents play the most important role in identifying drug use by their children. Parents are encouraged to be vigilant and to keep the channels of communication with their children open so that they can pick up on the use of illegal substances early.

Most drug use takes place at home or within the community. But, the sad reality is that some learners do come to school in possession of or under the influence of illegal drugs.

This has potentially serious consequences, not only for their own education, but for that of others, as well as the safety of learners and teachers.

It is therefore not uncommon for the WCED to call on SAPS and/or City Law Enforcement to conduct random search and seizure operations at schools as a security measure and to deter learners from bringing weapons and narcotics onto school premises.

Schools also conduct drug testing. SASA contains elaborate procedures in Section 8A, subsection (1) to (14) and regulates the circumstances and conditions under which random search and seizure and drug testing in schools may be conducted and dealt with.

If the learner has tested positive for alcoholic liquor or illegal drugs, a discussion must be held with the parent so that he or she may understand the consequences of the use of alcoholic liquor or illegal drugs.

The principal may, if the parent so requests, refer the learner to a rehabilitation institution for drug counselling. Only the learner and his or her parents must be informed about the outcome of the alcohol or drug test. The identity of the learner may not be revealed, except to his or her parents.

Fuente: http://allafrica.com/stories/201709210833.html