BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NEWS that marijuana was found in the possession of students at one of the Federation’s primary schools struck cords with many and, the fact that they are between the ages of six and nine years, some suggest it is “serious cause for concern”.
A police press release issued on Wednesday (Apr. 27) explained that both the Police Force and the Department of Social Services are investigating the incident.
“The investigation has revealed, that four (4) students ages ranging from six(6) to (9) years old were found with marijuana on the school premises. The investigation has revealed that the nine (9) year old made offer to sell a dime bag of marijuana for two Dollars E.C($2.00) to the students. A dime bag of marijuana was retrieved from the student and seized by the police.”
The release informed that the involved students were “interviewed in the presence of their parents, guidance counsellor and a social worker” and that additional investigations by the Department of Social Services would be made.
Social commentator and co-founder of Operation Rescue G. A. Dwyer Astaphan spoke with SKNVibes about the incident and indicated his astonishment upon learning of it.
“Nothing like that should be happening in schools, period; worse so primary schools. It is a matter of grave concern because this is one situation that has been detected. God knows if there are any other situations and, if so, how many others. It is very, very troubling.”
He expressed that the incident is a reflection of the direction in which society is heading.
“We know that children are using alcohol, we know they are eating all of these poisonous foods, the fast foods which are full of chemicals, and they are taking in good things as well. But life is a mixture of good and bad and there needs to be guidelines, there needs to be standards. I think it is important that our education and social development programmes position themselves, put the resources in place to monitor children at a very early stage and to interact and network with families because of the education and upbringing of children.
“If children are getting marijuana or anything else in the schools, in primary schools worse yet, then one needs to ask if their parents know about it and if children are hustling marijuana or anything else in the schools, then the parents need to know about it or maybe to give an explanation. Or maybe these children are being used by older persons who want to get people engaged in the use of these things at a very early stage.”
The social activist and former government minister categorically stated that his concerns have nothing to do with the merits or demerits of marijuana or about the legalization or decriminalization of it, but rather with children being exposed to it at such a tender age.
He said if there are adults involved, the full weight of the law should be brought against them.
Astaphan likened the act of giving children marijuana to “murder” or “ruining a child’s life at a very early stage”, especially since they are not fully developed and could not make proper and informed decisions for themselves.
“Let children live and make such decisions when they become adults. Don’t handicap them at this stage. I have no sympathy for anyone who is involved in these acts.”
