23 Oct 2025

An initiative aimed at curbing the growing problem of drug abuse among young learners has been warmly received by Lady Mitchison Primary School in Mochudi.

Speaking during the handover of a substance abuse awareness billboard, Lobatse pyschiatric mental health nursing student, Ms Boikobo Moakofi said the billboard would serve as a constant reminder of the dangers associated with drug use, especially among children.

“We want to catch them young, to help them understand the ills that come with substance abuse,” she said.

Ms Moakofi explained that the campaign was designed to educate primary school pupils about the negative effects of drug abuse, including poor academic performance, mental health challenges, and physical harm.

She added that Lady Mitchison was chosen because of its proximity to Molefhi Senior Secondary School, where teachers had previously reported cases of primary pupils allegedly sharing drugs with high school students through the school fence.

Given such concerns, Ms Moakofi said there was an urgent need for awareness campaigns targeting younger learners. The six nursing students from Lobatse Nursing College, she said, had taken up the challenge through the billboard project.

“The initiative also emphasises the roles of teachers, parents, and the community in fostering a safe and drug-free learning environment,” she said.

She further called for the formation of peer-support clubs in schools to promote counselling and guidance among pupils, noting that some  had shown signs of aggression linked to substance abuse. Ms Moakofi encouraged pupils to become agents of change, promoting positive behaviour and resisting peer pressure.

“Our mission is to nurture a generation that is upright, responsible, and ready to lead in the future,” she added.

Deputy School Head Mr James Sefhako applauded the donation, describing it as timely and impactful. He said targeting pupils at an early age was crucial in the fight against social ills linked to drug abuse, which often lead to poor academic results and health problems, including mental illness.

Mr Sefhako expressed hope that similar outreach initiatives would become routine, saying pupils were often more responsive to such interactive awareness activities. ENDS