The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), has cautioned learners in Petauke District of Eastern Province against substance abuse.

DEC Education and Counseling Department Program Officer Evelyn Mbewe explained that substance abuse had a lot of adverse effects on one?s health and its effects were worse in children, hence the need to desist from the vice.

Ms Mbewe was speaking during a sensitisation session against substance abuse, with pupils from Petauke Day Secondary.

?Substance abuse damages the lungs, brain and in children it is much worse,? she highlighted.

Ms Mbewe said, her institution recognised the value of timely prevention of certain vices.

Ms Mbewe indicated that DEC was engaging pupils due to the risk they stand of abusing substance, indicating that some come from   homes where their guardians were users.

Ms Mbewe also added that learners were prioritised because of peer pressure from fellow learners.

?So, we reached out to them and made them aware so that they are able to stay away from substance abuse, because some of these pupils are victims, they come from homes where fathers are users and they learn these things from close family members. There is also a lot of peer pressure in schools,? she said.

Ms Mbewe also debunked some myths surrounding substance abuse such as sharpened intelligence once one indulges in drugs.

?There are myths like once someone uses drugs, they become more intelligent and sharper. This is not true at all,? she said.

Meanwhile, Petauke Day Secondary School Deputy Headteacher Evans Mumba appreciated the initiative of reaching out to the pupils, and appealed to the institution for more sessions in order to curb substance abuse within learning institutions.

?The coming in of DEC has excited us because we have had so many encounters where pupils have been caught smoking and others drinking. Let these sensitisation meetings be held every term because we always have new pupils,? he said.

And Mordecai Samahongo a Form One pupil appealed to fellow learners who would want to quit substance abuse to engage the DEC so that they can be assisted.

?For those who are abusing drugs, get in touch with the DEC and you will be helped,? he said.

Another pupil Simon Chibuye appreciated the timely engagement by the DEC that has equipped them with the necessary information to help them stay away from substance abuse.

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