Drug dealers can�t be allowed to target primary students

Mmegi Editor | Wednesday September 27, 2017 11:45

Street vendors are our brothers and sisters, and neighbours whom we trust with the welfare of our children for the reason that they regularly interact with them in our absence. In return, the children view and trust them as their parents and are confident that the vendors will not sell them harmful substances.

It is disturbing however, when the same people we so trust betray us and attempt to destroy the future of our children by selling them drugs.  Many parents give their children a small amount of money – P2 or less, once in a while to buy themselves snacks during lunch break or in the event there is no food at school.

This small amount of money also helps children develop self-esteem and not feel left out when others buy snacks during lunch break or after school. Parents also give out this money knowing that they are contributing in growing the living standards of fellow compatriots who may not be so lucky to work in the formal sector.

The revelation by Monarch residents calls for police to intensify their patrols and detective skills to sniff out these heartless individuals who target innocent children to make money. This problem may be common across the country, even in rural areas where the market is very small and there is need for more consumers, even if such consumers are young children.

While the police have indicated at the Monarch Kgotla meeting that they can only search the suspects after securing a search warrant from the courts of law, it is our position that the ‘stop and search’ tactic that they always apply in the streets can be used on suspicious vendors.

The police have in the past admitted that the ‘stop and search’ tactic is yielding fruits and has helped recover stolen goods from suspects who could otherwise have escaped the wrath of the law.

We are already struggling with a huge problem of drug abuse amongst teenagers and out-of-school youth and therefore cannot afford to allow our primary school pupils to be driven into this life of hell. We have to do everything in our power to stop it before it gets out of hand.

Lastly, we appeal to vendors to report their colleagues who sell drugs because a drug addict, stranger or known to you, should be your source of concern. 

Today’s thought 

Although our war on drugs must be fortified with the best laws, enforcement efforts and resources, we would not be successful without your individual commitment to this cause. 

- Mel Carnahan