Operation Future visits Irish Town Primary School
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Right~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH eyes aglow, spirits high, faces decorated with smiles and cheers emanating from their little mouths, children of the Irishtown Primary School were enchanted by the educational treat they received yesterday, courtesy Operation Future.
Members of the Operation Future team with their special guest, Calypsonian Junior ‘Hooligan’ Osbourne, visited the said school to spread their message of drug prevention, abstinence from violence and the rewards of living a clean life.
The children assembled at one part of the school eagerly anticipating the displays which were put together for them.
While the basic structure of the routine remained unchanged, the programme was speckled with innovations and surprises.
As per the usual, the children were shown about four bandanas, each a different colour, and were told the gangs they represent and from where these gangs originated. They were also shown a number of illegal substances and informed of the side effects of their use.
What the officers described as a “new breed” of “high grade” marijuana, which they claimed came out of Jamaica, was also shown to the children. The scent of the plant is so potent that it permeates the atmosphere for tall distances, depending on the strength of and direction in which the wind blows.
The visit culminated with the students being transported to the Irish Town Playing Field where they were educated on the inner workings and abilities of the Police Force’s Canine Unit.
First up was Canine Officer Godfrey, accompanied by his trainer Police Constable Ralph Arthurton. Officer Godfrey was required to find a bundle of marijuana that was placed somewhere on the playfield in a knapsack. He was successful in finding the item and the children who appeared elated and amazed erupted into spontaneous applause at the phenomenon.
The second and final Canine Officer was Tex, known to be the Canine Unit’s official “arrest and apprehend” tool. Officer Tex is used to apprehend persons who, for whatever reason, cannot be reached by human element. His task for the day was to apprehend one of the officers who was playing the role of an escapee. Tex was also successful and managed to command applause from the eager-eyed children.
Just before the children returned to their respective classrooms, Osbourne sang one of his lyrically positive tunes, reminding the children that they are an important asset in the sustainability of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis. He also told them that crime, violence and disobedience are activities they should never partake in.
Officer Percival reminded the children that a life of crime, violence and disobedience would lead only to what he called “CJJ”, which is the Cemetery, Jail or JNF.
This was the third school to be visited by the Operation Future Team since its members resumed schools’ visit early last month.
Operation Future was officially birthed on February 24, 2005 by Police Constable Lauston Percival, who felt the need to increase police presence in schools while informing students of the dangers of drug abuse and a life of crime.
