15% OF DUT POPULATION USES DRUGS
By: Zinhle Mngadi
Fifteen percent of the Durban University of Technology’s campus population use drugs and two percent of that population are students that live as sex workers for the means of survival. These are the statistics released at the 45th AnnualReport of the United Nations (UN) International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) was held at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) on Wednesday.
The university’s Senior Director of the Corporate Affairs, Alan Khan, released these statistics when he welcomed the launch of the INCB repot as it was the first time it was launched in eThekwini.
Khan’s opening remarks expressed the university’s pride to be associated with the UN and that DUT does not undermine the impact drug abuse has on its students and staff.
“15 % of our campus population uses drugs and 2 % of that population are students who work as sex workers who rely on these means to put bread on the table. Female students use drugs more than the male students,” said Khan.
He further said that the university wants to educate students on drug and alcohol abuse.
Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT Alan Khan and International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Vice President Dr Naidoo at the launch of the 45th Annual Report in eThekwini. Pictures by: Zinlhe Mngadi
The report was delivered by the first vice president of the INCB, Dr Lochan Naidoo, at the Ritson Campus. He told delegates that drugs need to be used for medication and treatment in the world and it is their duty as the INCB to make sure that there are drugs provided to government facilities for treatment purposes only.
He further said that the board believes that government should re-structure punishment of criminals found in possession of any drug to rehabilitation and treatment rather than jail convictions because this route does not eradicate the drug abuse in the country.
“Our focal point is prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programmes which are most costly. We believe that the government should re-structure punishment of criminals found in possession of any drug to rehabilitation and treatment rather than jail sentencing,” said Naidoo.
