Drug prevalence in schools worrisome
Pini Bothoko | Monday April 3, 2023 06:00
In their mission to curb drug use amongst learners as drugs continue to find their ways into schools, police have moved to reinforce operations and educational campaigns targeting schools.
There have been concerns about the increase in students' drug use and the escalating trends of learners consuming space cakes which are cookies and muffins containing marijuana.
Recently, Mmegi carried articles on drug use amongst learners in a number of districts and it was revealed that schools are increasingly registering cases of drug and substance abuse across all levels.
Through the report, it was revealed that in Kgatleng district back in 2021, during stop and search campaigns, 57 boys and 11 girls were found in possession of dagga/marijuana/matekwane/cigarettes/alcohol.
Moreover, in 2022 it was stated that 103 boys and 15 girls were found in possession of drugs of different types and this year already 54 boys and 10 girls were found with the same drugs. During the same period, a total of 19 boys and two girls were found in possession of drugs in primary schools.
Recently 156 students were found in possession of drugs in North east district with marijuana topping the list of illegal drugs used by secondary school students.
Other drugs include cigarettes, space muffins, ARV pills and methcathinone also known on the street as ‘cat’.
Recently when presenting to the committee of supply, the Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi said drug use in Botswana remains a concern as seen by police arrests as a way of sending a clear message to potential dealers but the use has now been extended to schools.
He revealed that in order to contribute to improving public safety the ministry has operationalised the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to mitigate production, possession, distribution and abuse of illicit drugs and substances or plants which induce violence and other forms of crime.
Mmusi stated that effective operationalisation of DEA will enhance Botswana’s crime prevention institutional framework, particularly in relation to drug trafficking and other contraband associated with illicit drugs and psychotropic substances.
Mmusi revealed that the popular illicit drugs and substances in Botswana include dagga, methcathinone, mandrax, cocaine to mention but a few but other illicit drugs and substances such as heroine and ecstasy have also been introduced into the illicit drug consumers market either for local and external use.
He stated that trafficking and use of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances is detrimental to health and welfare of families, and equally influences violent crime, compromising public safety and security.
“The ministry is developing and implementing the Botswana anti-drug trafficking and substance abuse master plan in collaboration with national and international stakeholders, with a view to suppress demand and supply of drugs.
The ministry has commenced campaigns to address the public and schools through the kgotla and school outreach programme,” he said. Reached for comment, Botswana Police Service’s (BPS) public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said efforts are in place to respond to drug use amongst learners.
He stated that they are planning to intensify public education since they have established that information dissemination on drugs is not enough. Motube said drugs have found their way into schools expressing a concern that it is highly likely to adversely affect learners’ academic performance calling for everyone’s involvement towards eliminating drug use starting at the family level. “We have collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and also doing cross border cooperation to fight drug smuggling and use.
We are now targeting schools because drug abuse by students affects teaching and learning and ultimately compromises students’ academic performance. We have established that drugs are being sold by street vendors, some bake scones with drugs and learners get addicted hence the need for awareness,” he said. Motube stated that the impact of drug use can be more disturbing as it can affect people’s lives, ruin their futures, fuel crime, and threaten the country’s economy.
He further stated that due to excessive use of drugs, some people have turned into ‘street kids’ and some are mentally disturbed. “What used to be consumed in private is now used in public and that is the reality of drug abuse in Botswana. Students no longer hide from the public and they inhale their staff wherever they are something that needs our immediate attention. During senior officers conference that was held in February, police resolved to curb drug use revealing to be targeting schools were drug use remains prevalent ,” Motube. Additionally, Motube said they are also highly concerned by the increase in possession of offensive weapons amongst learners.
He stated that in the past they received sporadic reports in which students were involved in fights that resulted in fatal stabbings with drug use suspected to be behind their unruly behaviour.