Question NW2067 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
30 May 2022 - NW2067
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What steps have been taken by her department to deal with the challenge of substance abuse in schools?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education collaborates with the Central Drug Authority (CDA), a statutory body established in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse Act, 2008 (Act No. 70 of 2008). The DBE supports the implementation of the CDA Drug Master Plan, as reflected in the annual report.
The DBE has developed the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Alcohol and Drug Use Amongst Learners in Schools, accompanied by Drug Testing Guidelines, which are currently under review to ensure these remain abreast of evidence-based developments in the field.
In addition, the resource High-on-Life Toolkit, was co-developed with the African Youth Development Agency and is used to capacitate District Co-ordinators to prevent the abuse of substances in schools.
In the course of 2021 through 2022 financial years, the Minister and Deputy Minister of Education are leading a multi-sectoral programme in all nine provinces towards the Prevention of Violence, Bullying, Corporal Punishment, Gender-based Violence, Discrimination and the Abuse of Alcohol and Substances in Schools.