Drugs are causing havoc in Noordgesig where the problem has even infected schools. At Noordgesig Senior Secondary School, only four out of 30 pupils who were randomly selected for drug testing last month tested negative.
The rest tested positive for substances like tik, heroin, crack cocaine and nyaope. Teachers blame the many drug peddlers operating in the township and the lack of decisive action by the police.
“The whole community is drug infested,” said a senior teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity.
He said that when police last conducted a raid at the school in November, two pupils were found with drugs.
“In the past two years we have witnessed a disturbing increase in drug abuse cases at the school. It was never like this before and we appeal to members of the community to join in the fight against drug abuse. What kind of community is this when children are allowed to dabble in drugs?”
Another teacher said it was imperative for residents to get involved. He said he was shocked when a group of parents protested at the school gates last year when police raided the school. “They scolded us and called us names for allowing the police to search learners. I was very disappointed because the fight against drugs should be a collective effort. We really need to work together as educators and parents.”
The chairman of the school governing body, Emmanuel Matlala, said that despite concerted efforts by educators to warn pupils about the dangers of drugs, the environment around the school where drug abuse was rife posed a serious challenge for law-abiding citizens.
Matlala said that when pupils were found to be using drugs, there was a disciplinary process and their parents were called to take them for rehabilitation.
A member of the Noordgesig Civic Association, Nolen Borman, said drug peddlers were operating with impunity, and claimed the police were not doing enough to help fight the menace.
He said unemployment was rife, and that selling drugs was the seemingly preferred way of making ends meet. Borman called on residents to do their bit in ridding the township of drugs.
The school principal, Derrick Dereux, referred queries to the Gauteng Department of Education. Spokesman Charles Phahlane said they had a zero tolerance approach to drugs in schools. Working with the police, they conducted random raids at schools.
Police spokeswoman Captain Nomvula Mbense denied that the police were not doing enough to have drug dealers arrested. “We also work closely with a school-monitoring team.” - The Star