Hard drugs flood Goodhope schools
Tumelo Mouwane | Thursday July 27, 2017 16:01
On Tuesday, Goodhope police station commander, superintendent Mogomotsi Kwapa said the use and trade of drugs within Goodhope Senior Secondary School (GHSSS) and Nthwalang Junior School had reached “seriously alarming levels”.
“We are seriously alarmed by the rate of drugs use in schools in our policing area particularly at Goodhope senior where it is evident that marijuana finds its way into the school in bulk,” he said.
“We have also found out that there are many dagga peddlers inside the school and in the village at large. Some students inside the school sell such drugs to other students.
“We have arrested a couple of culprits and some of them are repeat offenders.”
Kwapa said at least three drug cases involving students from the school will soon be prosecuted, whilst the forensic results of another suspected marijuana case involving a boarding student are still awaited. “Most of the suspects were last year’s completing students,” he said.
“These are drugs that should not reach the hands of students at all because they have a role in some wrong behaviour displayed in schools.
“Last year, we had a case in which a student beat his teacher and we realised upon investigation that the student was under the influence of dagga.
He was even found in possession of it.”
Besides tracking and arresting suspects, police have also initiated a sensitisation programme to educate students on the dangers of using or selling illegal drugs. Several visits have been made to the affected schools.
“We are doing this initiative alongside other stakeholders, and we have put some interventions on the ground.
“Hopefully they will bear fruits,” Kwapa said.
Narcotics, flora and fauna investigations expert at Sejelo Police Station, constable detective Aatametse Gorewamang advised the public to inform law enforcement of any suspicious activities pointing to drugs.
“The community is urged to come forward with information in order for us to take action against suspected perpetrators,” he said.
“The law will protect anyone who informs the police about such incidents.
“People should also be warned that the law has been amended and it will come harshly against perpetrators.
“Possession of hard drugs now carries a fine of P500,000 and a jail term not less than 15 years.”