Dozens of searches took place in several cities in the country as well as in the Capital, in a case concerning the sale of drugs among pupils and students. Operation “School” thus brings back into focus the eternal problem of drug trafficking that takes place in educational institutions and even under the eyes of teachers.
Drug use in schools, a real phenomenon. Archive
Following the investigations carried out in this file, 40 people were identified and brought to the DIICOT headquarters in Iasi.
Cosmin Andreica, president of the Europol union, explained to “Adevărul” that the phenomenon of drug use and the trafficking of prohibited substances in schools can only be eradicated through a joint effort of the authorities, but also of the parents. “The phenomenon of drug use among young people is a responsibility of the entire system. We are talking about an integrated responsibility of several structures, entities, institutions to work in this regard, each on his own piece. Something that has not happened so far, because the mission is not an easy one at all. Therefore, no one assumes it. And the first actors that should get involved are the schools under whose roof this phenomenon occurs”, considers the policeman.
Teachers, the first who should notice consumption in schools
Teachers should be the first to self-report drug use in schools, Cosmin Andreica believes. “You don’t have to be an expert to realize that a student is showing symptoms of drug use. When you see the student on the bench staring at you, slurring his speech, dilated pupils, dry lips, you don’t have to go to medical school or be a doctor to know that something is wrong with him. Previously, if the student did not feel well, he was sent to the medical office. Well, why couldn’t it be?”, asks the policeman. “Or, if a teacher notices that a student comes to school tired every day, contact the parents. Now why don’t I do it anymore?”
Cosmin Andreica also comes with the answer. Teachers focus only on the educational act and have forgotten what the job of teaching really means. “They are blasé, tired, they don’t have time, they don’t want to get involved”.
We need a regulation that works
However, not only teachers should be vigilant and report cases of drug use. “Let’s not forget that in every school there is a regulation of internal order that should be respected. It is clearly written there: access to the school with weapons, alcohol and drugs is prohibited. But who controls these children? Nobody! Although this responsibility should belong to the school. It’s just her rules.”
Cosmin Andreica gives the example of the private education system. “Anyone who does not obey the rules does not have access to the school. And if you don’t allow a student to bring drugs, weapons or alcohol, that doesn’t mean you’re restricting his right to education.” believes the head of Europol. Regulations should not just be put on paper and that’s it, they should actually work. “There should be someone to make sure that they work,” says Cosmin Andreica.
Police officer: “Parents should be able to test their children themselves”
Parents, on the other hand, should be educated, schooled themselves about the risks of consumption among children. Many parents refuse to believe that they have drug users. “We need psychologists, training, some procedures, to see how we approach each individual case. Because we are dealing with a sensitive subject. Of course, if I call the parent at school and tell them your child is acting like a drug addict, the reaction will be appropriate. There must be tact and appropriate ways of communicating with parents”, Andreica also stated. The policeman advocates the implementation of a system through which students can be tested for anti-grog. “It’s about drug tests made available by schools to parents who can test their children themselves”.
