Lisa Isaacs
AFTER a successful foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) educational initiative using baby doll simulators, the City has decided to expand the project as part of its substance abuse prevention programme.
The programme was rolled out to six schools in May and now the City is set to acquire 32 life-like baby simulators, with texture made to feel like skin and facial features resembling those of a child born with FAS, for the programme to be implemented in each of its eight districts covering areas like Khayelitsha, Parkwood, Bothasig and Nomzamo.
The programme targets pupils in Grade 7, with feedback showing they had grasped the concepts and the damage alcohol could cause, said Ferial Soeker of the City’s department of social and early childhood development.
“Pupils have been very responsive to it. They enjoy that interaction. Instead of talking to them, it (the programme) shows what it is like to have a child that is constantly screaming,” she said.
She said while many pupils said they had already experimented with substances, the City felt that Grade 7 was the appropriate age to introduce the preventative measure.
Soeker said the initiative would expand its focus to healthy living as well.
The programme also elicited questions and discussions about other issues such as sexual abuse, including when “no means no” and who to speak to when there was a problem, as some pupils said they felt they could not confide in their parents, teachers or the police.
Both principals and pupils requested additional programmes on topics such as sex education, bullying and peer pressure, said City Mayco member for social development and early childhood development, Suzette Little.
“In this financial year, each of the directorate’s eight districts will receive four simulators, including a healthy baby simulator, substance abuse addiction simulator, foetal alcohol syndrome simulator and a shaken baby syndrome simulator,” she said.
Foundation for Alcohol Related Research chief executive Leana Olivier said the programme should offer a holistic approach to the issue and discuss responsible decision-making.
“We talk about tik locally, but alcohol is the first drug of choice and many young people don’t understand the seriousness of drinking.
“It is a great initiative. One thing I am concerned about is that 70 percent of children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders don’t have any facial features which indicate this. There is brain damage that you don’t see,” she said.