With children as young as 12 experimenting with drugs, Child Welfare South Africa (CWSA) recently visited Graslaagte Primary School in Humansdorp as part of their anti-drug school awareness campaign, aimed at educating young children about the dangers of drug use.
Shanon Kabuku, a student social worker at CWSA, said that their anti-drug school awareness campaign, TeenPulse: Beating Drugs, Building Future, focuses on addressing the problem that teenagers have with drugs.
Through the campaign, she said they have identified a significant number of children aged between 12 and 17 who use drugs.
As a result, Kabuku said many children drop out of school because of their substance abuse problem.
Since Ernest Malgas Treatment Centre in Gqeberha is the closest facility providing drug treatment services for children, she said it often faces capacity challenges.
Kabuku said that securing a spot for every child in need can therefore be a difficult and a daunting task.
“The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness among learners about the dangers and consequences of drug use. It also aims to promote drug prevention and encourage learners to make informed decisions by resisting peer pressure,” said Kabuku.
“The campaign also aims to equip learners with information on how to seek help, support, and resources, if they or someone they know is struggling with drug use,” she said, further emphasising that a crucial aspect of the campaign is engaging learners, teachers, parents, and school staff collectively to bolster drug prevention efforts.
By fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, Kabuku said that they can work together to provide learners with the necessary resources and encouragement to make informed choices and resist drug use.
“We evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign in terms of changes in a learner’s attitude, knowledge, and behaviour related to drug use,” said Kabuku.
Since the campaign is an early prevention project, she said they recently visited Graslaagte Primary to help learners understand the dangers of drug use before they are exposed to it and to help them establish a foundation for healthy decision-making.
The campaign, held on August 28, was a collaborative effort involving multiple organisations, including Nation Builders Prophetic Apostolic Movement (NBPAM), Gardmed Ambulance Service, the South African Police Service (SAPS), Schutzhunde K9, and Graslaagte Primary School.
This united initiative brought together diverse stakeholders to promote a shared goal of drug prevention and awareness, with presentations given by CWSA, SAPS, and Gardmed Ambulance. In addition, Pastor Ashwell Goliath and a schoolteacher shared valuable insights with the learners, while K9 Schutzhunde presented an engaging dog show.
The demonstration showcased the impressive skills of their trained canine, highlighting its ability to detect and sniff out drugs, providing a unique and interactive learning experience for the learners.
“The learners enjoyed the campaign. Most learners said that they learned that drugs are bad for their health, brain, and lungs. Many of the learners also said that the highlight of the event was the demonstration by the K9 dog,” said Kabuku.
Further elaborating on the importance of the campaign, she said the campaign aims to help learners strengthen their coping skills and resilience, to equip them with techniques to handle stress, social pressure, and challenges without turning to substance abuse.
Kabuku said a proactive approach to drug awareness contributes to a safer school environment, promoting well-being and reducing the likelihood of drug-related issues.
To end the campaign on a high note, she said the learners were given party packets and fun colouring pages.
