prevention
25 May 2006
The South African Police Service (SAPS) together with the Department of
Education as assisted by Business Against Crime South Africa jointly launched a
drug reduction programme in Pretoria today that will be rolled out all over the
country to reach as many school learners as possible.
The aim of the programme launched today at the Garsfontein High School is to
raise awareness of the risks that substance abuse is posing to the youth and to
alert the community at large that ignorance in this regard poses an even
greater threat. The ultimate goal is to consolidate the relationship between
schools and the Police in order to effectively prevent drug abuse amongst the
youth in the country.
The said programme coincides with the Tiisa Thuto project that is presented
by Business Against Crime. Tiisa Thuto is a Sesotho phrase meaning to
Strengthening Education which is a school-community-based crime prevention
programme and has learners, educators, parents and School Governing Bodies as
its core target groups.
The Deputy Minister for Safety and Security, Ms Susan Shabangu assured the
youth of the Police's commitment to ensure safe environments for the youth to
learn and play in, in order to become respected citizens in society.The Deputy
Minister reiterated the need to have joint campaigns such as this one to meet
the security needs of the community. She emphasised that it is critical for
school principals to allow the police to assist them in matters requiring their
expertise.
This joint effort clearly signals the need to combine the expertise, energy
and resources of all role players including parents, teachers, civil society
and the South African Police Service to effectively prevent drug abuse amongst
the youth in the country.
The launch of the drug reduction programme presents the role players with a
channel of cooperation that will ensure sustainable relationships between all
the stakeholders in ensuring that words and ideas are turned into actions with
tangible results.
The Chief Executive Officer of Business Against Crime, Mr Kenny Fihla, said
that there is synergy between the South African Police Service drug reduction
programme and the Business Against Crime Tiisa Thuto Schools programme. Tiisa
Thuto aims to fight different types of crime in schools and school
dysfunctionality by inculcating a positive value system amongst all of its
beneficiaries, through the mediation and facilitation of its theme-based
content.
This venture complements the South African Police Service's call to act
'Against Crime Together' (ACT) in a significant way in that the concept of
partnership policing will prove to be the only counteracting method that can
successfully curb crime in the country.
The launch at the Garsfontein High School in Pretoria was attended by
learners from eleven (11) schools in the Pretoria area who were entertained
with colourful and educational exhibitions with drug abuse messages to
encourage them to think and act responsibly. Emphasis is placed on different
types of drugs, their impact, and how best to avoid them. Learners are thus
empowered to make correct choices.
No school community in the country is immune against crime. Whether affluent
or poor, every situation presents its own challenges. The vicious cycle of
crime does not make a distinction between class, creed or conviction. It is
especially this culture of denial that paralyses crime prevention. To eradicate
this inclination to deny the reality of crime is among the objectives of this
crime prevention programme.
A successful drug prevention campaign will go a long way in empowering the
youth to claim a bright future filled with opportunities and rewards. The South
African Police Service eagerly takes hands with all role players in society who
make it their business to ensure that the youth is protected from crime and
those who see them as easy prey for their ill meant purposes.
Enquiries: Captain Francois Bekker
National Spokesperson: Media Relations Communication and Liaison
Services South African Police Service, Head Office
Tel: (012) 393 5523
Fax: (012) 393 5525/27
Cell: 082 333 8146
E-mail: mediarelations@saps.org.za
Issued by: South African Police Service
25 May 2006
