Eastern Cape Education arms learners with knowledge

The Eastern Cape Department of Education’s schools enrichment unit is on its toes as the learners’ adolescence phase is keeping it occupied since these teenagers are trying to experiment various things.

Breidbach high school in King William’s Town, recently hosted this unit’s team as learners in this school have necessitated this through displaying strange behaviour associated with drugs usage. Last Friday, 3 March 2012 saw the launch of a campaign headed by Cecilia Osei-Adagwa aimed at curbing drug abuse in the school.

The campaign this time around targeted Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners and equipped these learners with information leaflets and pamphlets advising about ways to deal with such and signs pageanted by people who have started drug abuse. Addressing these learners was also Euclid Jones from a non governmental organisation (NGO) called ED Jones Community Development, Ward Councilor, Leon Mentoor and Osei-Adagwa.

According Osei-Adagwa, prominent issues that push learners to opt for drug abuse include but not limited to stress, poverty, peer pressure, lack of knowledge and experimentation. “Contributing factors to many pupils taking drugs can be defeated”, warned Osei-Adagwa.  Cecilia encouraged the learners to love and respect their bodies and ultimately themselves.

Ward Councilor Leon Mentoor encouraged the learners to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the department and absorb information as much as they can. “The information provided here will help presently and in the near future and will also help people that are not here but are affected by drugs”, said Mentoor.

Educating the learner’s knowledge about drugs was also Euclid Jones who a facilitator from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) called ED Jones Community Development. Jones explained what drugs are, what they do to a person with picture presentation showing side effects of using drugs. “I encouraged you to partake in the presentation by asking questions as that would broaden your knowledge of drugs”, said Jones.

Jones warned that ‘drugs that are widely and easily available are called crack cocaine because they are leftovers from the stuff that is expensive and they are expensive. “Rehabilitation is the best way to quit drugs and there are different types, it’s just a matter of a person, admitting that they have a problem, seeking that help from someone they trust”, concluded Jones.