Safer Schools Programme: Tactical proactively tackling youth drug issues

A very successful sniff-and-search crime prevention program was carried out on Friday, 6 March at a Pinetown school in a combined operation between Blue Security tactical team members, SAPS PINETOWN, SAPS Crime Prevention and Customs and SARS customs drug detection dogs.

“The carefully orchestrated exercise had a surprise element as the team arrived at Pinetown Boys High School unannounced to carry out the search for any possible illegal drugs and contraband items,” one of Blue Security’s Tactical Ambassadors explained.
On arrival, the two furry canine “narcotics detectives” heading the search, immediately got down to business by sniffing their way through the school’s premises. “Each classroom, learner and schoolbag was inspected by the highly-trained dogs accompanied by their handlers,” the Tactical Ambassador said.

“The Search-and-Detect operation was a huge success. The school can be extremely proud that no illegal substances were found and no arrests needed to be made. “The goal of these search exercises is to aim for a hundred-percent success rate at each institution involved in the Safer Schools Programme in the greater Pinetown area.
“We want to be proactive and institute preventative measures by educating learners about the dangers of being in possession of, or using, drugs and contraband items,” he explained. “Blue Security, in collaboration with the major law-enforcement units, really want to make a difference in the area by emphasizing a zero – tolerance approach to drugs.
“Various schools are participating in the Programme in an effort to combat the drug problem so prevalent amongst many of today’s younger generation. This will also contribute to providing safer schools for each and every learner.”