Ina van der Merwe, CEO of South Africa's largest background screening company, MIE, said while they did not as yet have percentages, it had become evident during their campaign to market a new drug detection kit to schools that the problem was huge and growing rapidly.
"The problem is that drug lords are specifically targeting school children because they are an easy mark and peer pressure will often lead to them experimenting with drugs. What is particularly concerning is that first-time users are often given the drugs free. The highly addictive nature of certain drugs, like tik and heroin, then cause that these users now hooked, thereby guaranteeing future sales for the drug dealers. "
Gauteng SAPS spokesman, Superintendent Eugene Opperman, agreed saying that it was in the nature of children to experiment.
"They will try anything and it is for that reason that we have a campaign in place to warn and educate teachers and learners about the dangers of drugs."
He said signs to look out for were sudden personality changes, excessive sweating, and a loss of appetite.
Van der Merwe said her company had launched a major campaign to raise awareness at schools. Part of this campaign was to market a new product that could detect even the minutest traces of drugs on items such as briefcases, computer keyboards and other working surfaces in both classrooms and the bedrooms of schoolchildren.
"Anyone in contact with drugs, whether it be users or dealers, will always leave trace amounts of these drugs on everything they touch including cell phones, clothing, packages, briefcases, desktops, computer keyboards and toilet seat covers among other. These trace amounts of illicit drugs can now be detected using this new product."
The kit consists of a small sponge that is swiped over areas that have been in contact with the suspected drug user. It is then tested using a chemical solution and the results are displayed on an indicator that shows which drug was found. The results are 100% accurate to the extent that the Tshwane Metro Police are using it to test motorists for drugs at roadblocks.
This kit has also been approved by the Department of Education for use in schools because it is totally non-invasive. Parents who suspect that their children may be on drugs can easily use this kit to sweep working surfaces within their bedrooms.
The South African Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) said that drug abuse among teens was on the rise and that much of their preventive measures were aimed at them.
SANCA director, Shamin Garda, said drug abuse in general was on the rise and was a cause of great concern.
"Drug abuse at schools is rife and growing by leaps and bounds." She said a drug that was a major source of concern was a mixture of Dagga and Heroin known as 'Pinch' or 'Sugar". Tik and Cat remained popular and for many learners was the drug of choice because it was cheap and readily available.
"It is important for parents to know that today's drugs are mixed with all sorts of chemicals in order for dealers to increase the volume. Anything from baby powder to rat poison is used, making drug use even more dangerous," noted Van der Merwe.
For more information, go to www.mie.co.za.
