Alex children become drug junkies
ALEXANDRA – Youth month not worthy celebrating in Alex?
June is Youth Month but, it may not be worthy of a celebration in Alex where many children from grade five level and up, who still live with their parents, are said to be hooked on drugs.
This was said by social, gender and child activist at Kidz Clinic, Elizabeth Mokoena when she outlined challenges besetting the township.
Mokoena said drugs and cigarettes are a way of life and a priority for many children and youth at sunrise regardless of their day’s schedule.
Read: Randburg Clinic will soon throw away the keys
“Many of them congregate in full public view to smoke drugs before they board taxis or walk to school. Others can be seen smoking leisurely while walking to school, seemingly unconcerned about the public and any authority,” Mokoena said.
She attributed this challenge to parents who do not care about the welfare of their children.
“They just don’t care and have ceded their children to drug dealers who they also know and who benefit from the money they give them for food and essential school requirements.”
She said, as a result of this, most children who are locked out of school because they come late, loiter around, get into mischief and return home with others after school.
“Most of their parents will not even know this as they do not check their children’s books, attend parents meetings, ask for school reports or open school letters brought to them by the children.”
Mokoena urged the parents to try to accompany their children to school sometimes, to occasionally call the school to check on their performance, check their schoolwork daily and ask for any letters from the school.
She also encouraged ward committees to discuss children’s safety and school related issues.
She blamed children’s involvement in gangs on their parents’ disengagement in their lives.
“Schools can’t monitor children outside school boundaries, the general public doesn’t get involved in street gang fighting and many girls fall pregnant because of lack of supervision after school.
The public should reflect on this challenge for the sake of the community’s future.”
Details: Elizabeth Mokoena Kidz Clinic 083 315 0748
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