Tshwane learners MM

Mabopane, Winterveld and Garankuwa Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC) recently gave an anti-substance abuse talk to Mabopane’s Letlotlo Secondary School learners. The talk urged learners to steer clear of substance abuse as school management continues to worry about drug use among young people during school hours, according to school governing body member Judy Hlongwane.

Also present for the talk were social workers, psychologists, community development workers and local non-governmental organisations, which OurHealth has been told are also part of the LDAC.

Established by local government, LDACs are responsible for combatting substance abuse at the community level as part of the Central Drug Authority’snational plan on substance abuse.

Local police and members of the community policing forum (CPF) also urged learners to report drug dealers and guaranteed that students who came forward with information would be protected.

“(Protecting) the identity (of those reporting crimes) is a serious issue in the police service,” said CPF chairperson. “We assure the learners and community leaders present that those reporting crimes will remain anonymous, and that community safety is the police’s priority.”

Letlotlo Secondary School teacher Matilda Moumakwe said the school was not only dealing with drug abuse, but also learners bringing weapons like knives to school.

She suggested that police should consider searching students.

Social worker Tshilidzi Collen Bakane added that learners battling substance abuse should also come forward to get help.

“Those who are users must volunteer to come forward and be assisted and booked to rehabilitation centre,” she said. “Those not taking drugs are advised to focus on their studies and give back to the community that raised them.”

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