The Inkatha Freedom Party calls for a multi-sectoral approach to address the misuse of substance abuse by young people after reports that drug abuse is prevalent at Khabazela High School in Hillcrest and it further calls for introduction of mandatory testing of learners in all public schools for drug use.
“This problem is seriously overwhelming because it means that there will be a spike in behavioural disorders in schools, and destruction of future leaders of the nation. The root causes of drug or substance abuse must be identified and cauterised before any tapering off of this debilitating act among youth.
There is a need for greater focus on school-based interventions, so as to increase awareness of the negative consequences of drugs and to help young people to develop good decision making and resistance skills. We also need to encourage schools to form anti-alcohol/drug clubs to sensitise pupils on the dangers of alcohol/drug abuse,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa.
“It is very dangerous, especially in the light of other pressing problems which are more serious, like strained relationships with parents, lack of role models at home, and the fact that, in many instances, parents are the ones who introduce drugs to children either by getting them directly involved or by seeing them using drugs, as we know that children copy what they see elders doing.
Many parents even refuse to acknowledge openly that their children are addicted to drugs, just to avoid social stigma. Such attitude of parents aggravates the issue of substance use and children in turn get a tacit approval to indulge even further,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
Issued by:
Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education
071 884 3844