Lapse in legislation threatens young children
A lapse in legislation has left police in a quandary as a new drug with potential harmful effects invades nearly every school in Honiara.
And police warned yesterday that unless urgent action is taken to make the production of the drug an offence, they will be powerless to deal with the invasion of the locally manufactured drug, known as Copen – a mixture of tobacco and other substances
The warning follows an incident on Tuesday night when a nine-year-old girl almost died from taking the powdered stuff.
It was allegedly given to her by a relative, a school student at one of the church-run schools in Honiara.
“You find Copen in every school. Its users are as young as nine years old. Our problem is two-fold – we do not have legislation to stop the production of this drug and two those who are producing it say they will continue to produce the drug until such time there is a law to stop us,” police said yesterday.
This is because the sale of the drugs is a source of income for those who produce it. It comes in powdered form, often with artificial colouring and is sold in sachets for $5 each mainly in school grounds – from White River in the west to Henderson in the east.
“Copen is the new battleground and authorities must act swiftly to ensure we stop the spread of this threat to our young people before it is too late. At the moment we do not know how deadly this stuff is.”
Students are certainly addicted in the same way non illegal drugs have on people.
The symptoms of Copen range from dizziness to getting high, police said.
It is understood some of the stuff have found its way into schools in Auki.
Police yesterday confiscated some of the stuff (pictured) and are appealing to parents to keep an eye on their children.
“We do not know just as yet what effects if any Copen would have on young kids. But it is certainly deadly and it is important that parents keep an eye on their children,” police said.
By ALFRED SASAKO
Newsroom, Honiara
