Erongo Governor Neville Andre Itope has expressed concern about the lack of discipline amongst some learners at schools and at home as a result of the use of drugs and other illicit substances.

Itope, who was speaking at Duinesig Combined School in Walvis Bay during a surprise drug operation targeting schools on Tuesday, noted that there is a need for these learners to be placed in life-changing programmes which will enable them to stop getting involved in drugs.

The drugs mostly found in schools include Mandrax, dagga and cocaine.

“We are aware that our school children come from a society in which illegal things such as drugs are being used, but we want to ensure that our schools are clean and that our children are protected and clean from these illicit substances. To those who have drugs, the message is that school grounds are not the place, as you are taking up space for learners who would like to learn. We are never going to allow this, and we will keep fighting until we have eliminated this enemy,” the governor stressed.

The operation which also included members of the Canine (K9) Unit, targeted the Duinesig Combined School, Kuisebmond Secondary School and De Duine Secondary School in Walvis Bay, as well as Coastal High School, Westside High and Swakopmund Secondary schools in Swakopmund.

Itope expressed satisfaction with the cooperation of the learners and the willingness of some to expose activities they believe are taking place outside the school.

Namibian Police Force Commander in the Erongo Region, Nikolaus Kupembona said this is an ongoing operation which aims to wipe out all contraband on school grounds.

Meanwhile, Erongo Education Director Erenfriede Stephanus welcomed the operation, stressing that there is a need to keep schools in the region clean of drugs.

“There is no space for drugs in schools and whatever safety measures we require to take in order to ensure this, we will do so even if it means carrying out these surprise operations,” she noted.

Learners who have been caught with drugs will be required to do community work for an entire day and when necessary, will be taken to the necessary programmes.

One small bag of dagga seeds was discovered stashed in a classroom dustbin during the operation at Duinesig Combined School and the learners in the classroom were questioned.

Several items which are not allowed on school premises such as perfumes and cellphones were also confiscated.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency