Concerns are escalating over a new trend among students involving the smuggling of alcohol into schools using soft drink bottles, specifically Coke. Acting Chief Executive of the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council, Josua Naisele, highlighted this tactic, wherein students mix alcohol with non-alcoholic beverages to mask the smell and appearance, allowing them to bring these disguised bottles unnoticed into classrooms.
Naisele reported a rising familiarity with ways to bypass drug regulations in schools, noting that alcohol is not the only substance of concern. Alarmingly, younger students, including those in primary schools, have been caught using marijuana. Although there have been no confirmed cases of harder drugs like methamphetamine being used in schools, other substances, such as tobacco and vapes, continue to surface regularly.
This trend of substance usage has significant implications on students’ learning and development, according to Naisele. He emphasized that young people, still in crucial stages of brain development, are particularly vulnerable to the influences of drugs and peer pressure, sometimes turning to substances out of curiosity or to cope with personal issues.
Parents and guardians are urged to engage actively with their children to better understand their social circles, interests, and academic struggles. Naisele remarked that families must create an environment where open discussions about these issues are encouraged. Through awareness and communication, parents can recognize when their children may be showing signs of drug use.
Furthermore, Naisele pointed out a specific case from his experience where a student, having dealt with past trauma, felt the need to turn to drugs when not supported at home. This reinforces the importance of improving counselling services within schools to address both substance abuse and underlying mental health issues.
This call to action coincides with an initiative from the Education Ministry to enhance the support available to students, assisting those facing stress or trauma. By fostering a network of communication and support among parents, educators, and healthcare professionals, there is hope for a collective effort to guide students away from the path of substance abuse and towards healthier choices.
Overall, while the increase in drug-related issues among students is distressing, the emphasis on communication and community engagement offers a path forward to safeguard the well-being of the youth.
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