According to the story, a number of male
students from some of our more prominent high schools have been engaging in the
practice of selling marijuana (ganja) on the premises of their institutions.
They tried to justify their behaviour by pointing to the need to meet expenses for the latest bag and shoes and to have extra spending money. They mentioned too that they did not want to bring added pressure to bear on their parents, as they were already doing their best. While this is a noble thought, the process by which they choose to ''assist'' their parents and guardians is illegal, immoral and fraught with a myriad of other social implications.
Acknowledgement was made, even by the police, that this behaviour was nothing new, but they did not view it as widespread as suggested by anecdotal evidence.
Clearly, the problem here is the lure of money, lack of proper morals and a craving for
attention. They believe that this is the quickest and surest way to appeal to the girls and to get the attention of their male counterparts. But in today''s society, there are still a lot of girls who will look pass the glamour and glitter and see a young man for who he truly is.
There is also the fact that friends made with money often depart as soon as the cash runs out. Added to this is the fact that such practice breaks the laws of the land and could see them doing jail time.
Also, there is the nagging fear that this deviant behaviour by our
students could signal a lifelong career in the drug trade. Hence, there is justifiable reason to be concerned and even alarmed.
Educators are rightly peeved, but they alone cannot exorcise this demon. It needs the preacher, the parents and the public in general.