THE Ministry of Education has employed a rigorous programme to counsel students who were recently busted as part of a gang that was using the date-rape drug, ecstasy, in schools in Georgetown.

A 25-year-old man was recently charged for supplying the city students with the drug. The Alberttown businessman was charged for allegedly selling ecstasy to an under-aged boy and also for possession of the drug. Dorel John appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was released on $170,000 bail after denying the two charges back in February. Particulars of the first charge stated that John, between December 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018 at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, sold ecstasy to an under-aged child.

It is also alleged that on February 12, 2018, at Lot 141 Alberttown, John had two grams of ecstasy in his possession. According to reports, the child was held with the drug and when the matter was reported, a raid was conducted at John’s home and ecstasy was found in his bedroom.

Additionally, the ministry said that following revelation of the students’ behaviour, an investigation was conducted during which 11 students from one city school were questioned by officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit in the presence of their parents, while one student from another city school was questioned in the presence of a parent.
The ministry said the investigation found that the narcotic that was being purchased and consumed by the students was confirmed to be ecstasy. Following the investigation, the Ministry of Education also organised several educational sessions with the teachers, parents and students involved. These sessions were attended by representatives from CANU, the Guyana Police Force Narcotics Branch and the Guyana Prison Service.
Based on CANU’s interaction with the students, parents and the representatives of the Ministry of Education, the following were recommended:

The students should be given counselling and they should also be monitored and have limited access to mobile phones and social media until they have recovered from this incident. According to the ministry, parents are now reporting to the school monthly to give an account of the child’s progress and behavioral changes at home. This can be compared to the child’s behaviour at school which can help to detect if he or she is still in the habit of consuming a narcotic drug.
Students also formed a group in the affected schools that can help to educate other students about the dangers of drug use, the ministry has said. Notwithstanding the recommendations made, the Ministry of Education said it administered the necessary disciplinary actions in accordance with its policies regarding drug use in the school system.