BY SAMIE WAIKORI
The use of copen drug has been going on secretly in schools in Malaita province for the past years, and last week a finding was made when teachers caught grade 3 learners at Alota’a school near Auki town were taking the drug.
The pupils, who believed to be between 8-10 years, were alleged to have been using the drug for sometimes with other students both at school and home.
A teacher at Alota’a secondary and primary school, Mr Junior Movin Kutai posted this in social media last week in a quest to rally support from police and parents to assist the school to hold responsible those behind producing the drug.
He said it was a disturbing concern to find these grade 3 kids had taking the copen drug.
Kutai said teachers had interviewed the students, but they want police to help them identify who sold the drug to them and producers of the drug.
He described the level to which the students have taken the drug as worse, which will have serious impact on their health and demanded cooperation to address the matter.
When called PPC Malaita, Mr Tex Tafoa on the matter yesterday, he said it is his first to learn on copen drug in the province since taking office.
He acknowledged that it has been around and there shouldn’t be mistake that it would be in Malaita, but his familiarity with the drug was in Honiara.
“In Honiara, RISPF has been working with schools on the issue through awareness and other programs primarily targeting students to address it.
“It is a real issue and the fact that it affects the health of students is an alarming matter that police, school, communities, parents and other stakeholders must cooperate to address it,” Tafoa said.
He is happy that the issue was raised in the province and his office will be working together with schools, communities and school parents on the matter.
Tafoa said RSIPF in Malaita province will not tolerate copen drug in the province, despite challenges embedded on the country’s law on the matter.
