At an Aberdeen Sector Police Forum initiative this morning Monday 12 October, the Graaff-Reinet Police Dog Handling Unit gave a demonstration at Aberdeen Primary School. This is the second ‘crime-free’ course the S.P.F. has organized at the school, the first one being on dangerous weapons.
Police Liaison Officer Renee Sweetland addressed the pupils before the demonstration, outlining the dangers of illegal substances. She explained how to identify the plant ‘Dagga’ in order to destroy it. Inspector Sweetland explained how drug dealers would freely give the first illegal substance to a child to introduce them to it. After the initial first introductory illegal substance, the child would be made to pay for any future usage. In order to pay for a further supply of drugs, the child could in all probability start a trend of stealing to get money for this habit, and would therefore not only become an addict, but a criminal as well.
Police Liaison Officer Renee Sweetland addressed the pupils before the demonstration, outlining the dangers of illegal substances. She explained how to identify the plant ‘Dagga’ in order to destroy it. Inspector Sweetland explained how drug dealers would freely give the first illegal substance to a child to introduce them to it. After the initial first introductory illegal substance, the child would be made to pay for any future usage. In order to pay for a further supply of drugs, the child could in all probability start a trend of stealing to get money for this habit, and would therefore not only become an addict, but a criminal as well.
Police Inspector Andre Booysen, with his Alsatian ‘Nicole’ who is trained in retrieving and sniffing out illegal substances, demonstrated to the Aberdeen Primary School Pupils how easily illegal substances are discovered.
Inspector Andre Booysen explained how ‘Sniffer-Dogs’ were trained in a four month course at Roodeplaat in Pretoria, and that not all breeds of dogs could be disciplined or excel at the technique of ‘flushing out’ illegal substances.
Inspector Andre Booysen explained how ‘Sniffer-Dogs’ were trained in a four month course at Roodeplaat in Pretoria, and that not all breeds of dogs could be disciplined or excel at the technique of ‘flushing out’ illegal substances.
Inspector Booysen was enthusiastic in his approach to the welfare of his Alsatian ‘Nicole’ and the close connection between dog and handler was very evident.
The Principal, Mr Johan Minnaar, thanked the S.P.F, Inspector Renee Sweetland and the Graaff-Reinet Field Dog Training Unit for their cooperation in assisting the Aberdeen Primary School Staff to ensure that the young pupils appreciated the dangers of drug usage, and the methods which the Police would employ to ‘flush out’ all illegal substances. He stressed to the pupils that Inspector Sweetland was always available to them for any problems which might occur in their daily lives.
It is hoped that this S.P.F. initiative of taking crime prevention to the Aberdeen Primary School, will extend to all the schools in the area of Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe.
Article By: Joan Tinker
