NEW SCHOOL MANUAL GIVES TOP PRIORITY TO WAR AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

The fight against drugs is top on the list of the school safety
standards manual released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Education.

The stance taken seems to hinge on student involvement, through
sharing of experiences with regard to occurrences in their
neighbourhoods.

"Learners should discuss and suggest ways that can contribute to
creating a drug-free school environment," the manual says.

It notes the role played by kiosks and small businesses located near
schools and recommends "close monitoring of the activities with a view
of taking any necessary remedial intervention".

The manual aims at creating a safe and caring environment, where both
students and the staff understand the dangers of drug abuse.

It calls for counselling of all those caught engaging in the act.
Previously, culprits were punished and suspended from schools.

"Where cases of use or misuse of drugs get detected, the community,
including school management, needs to show care and concern through
counselling," the manual recommends.

The manual acknowledges drug abuse as a major problem in Kenyan
schools and explains the effects of the drugs on students.

In the recent spate of school strikes, drugs were cited as having
contributed to the riots.

Bhang and bottles of alcohol were found in some schools after students
went on the rampage.

The prohibited substances being peddled and abused in schools include
bhang, hashish, mandrax, heroin, cocaine, cigarettes and alcohol.

As usual, peer influence and the media feature in the list of
motivators regarding abuse of illicit drugs by youngsters.

The manual directs that drug-related advertisements should be brought
to class for analysis and that schools should display posters
campaigning against the vice.

In an elaborate six-step procedure on creating a drug-free
environment, the manual calls for in-depth understanding of drugs and
their abuse.

This is aimed at equipping teachers and students with skills on how to
identify symptoms of drug abuse and consequently take remedial action
on addicts.