Rustenburg- In a quest to promote positive mindset amongst learners, the department of basic education dedicated the month of June to commemorate International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by converging about 1, 300 Grade 8-11 learners of schools around Bojanala district at Tlhabane Technical High School on the 24 June 2014 at 10:00.

Under the theme “Don’t let binging be your sinking”, the event is aimed at sensitizing learners about dangers of alcohol abuse which has adverse consequences on academic performance and lack of sporting activities.

According to the statistical survey by the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) in 2008, there prevalence rate of Grade 8-11 learners who had used alcohol and drugs was at 12percent. This also led to increased engagement in risky sexual behaviour of contracting HIV, STIs or expecting early pregnancy.

“Upon informing learners on dangers of alcohol binging, the department of education will distribute information on binge drinking to enrich the learning outcomes. Furthermore, learners will participate in a competition to design pamphlets on binge drinking” departmental spokesperson Brian Setswambung said.

The competition will take place in all provinces and each province will select the best three pamphlets designed by learners which will then be used by DBE to develop one pamphlet on binge drinking.-TDN
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