GEORGE NUUS - Een van die land se bekendste skole en 'n topskool in George, Hoërskool Outeniqua, is geruk oor beweringe van "huffing". Dit is 'n praktyk waar leerlinge chemikalieë inasem.
Nadat die beweringe in 'n dagblad gemaak is, het 'n ontstoke ouer die George Herald gebel en gevra of dit waar is.
'n Ouer van die skool het glo in 'n brief aan die dagblad geskryf dat van die skool se rugbyspelers dit na bewering onlangs tydens 'n rugbytoernooi in Kimberley gedoen het.
Dit is na bewering ook onder meer deur van die spelers in hul koshuis in George gedoen.
Christo Vorster, die skool se hoof, het alle navrae na die Wes-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement (WOKD) verwys.
Millicent Merton, WOKD-woordvoerder, het by navraag gesê die skool ondersoek die beweringe.
"In hierdie stadium is daar geen bewyse dat die leerders enige dampe in die koshuis ingeasem het nie. Leerders word gereeld vir dwelms getoets en die skool het ondersteu-ningsprogramme om leerders met afhanklikheid te help."
Abrie de Swardt, bekende sportadministrateur, het gesê hy dra nie kennis van die beweringe nie en hy kan dus nie daarop kommentaar lewer nie.
In die algemeen moet in gedagte gehou word dat daar baie druk op jong sportmanne en -vroue is.
As enige stimulant gebruik word wat teen die reëls is of as iemand positief getoets word vir 'n verbode middel, is dit 'n ernstige saak.
"In skolerugby word meer en meer toetsing gedoen. Daar is baie druk op jeugdige rugbyspelers."
Daar moet ook in gedagte gehou word dat beweringe kan voortspruit uit jaloesie.
Top school investigates rumours of 'huffing'
One of the country's best known schools and a top school in George, Outeniqua High, has been shaken by rumours of "huffing" by some of its learners. “Huffing” or “sniffing” formally called inhalant abuse, is the practice of sniffing chemicals.
After seeing the allegations in a daily paper, a furious parent phoned the school to ask if it were true. It transpired that a parent had written a letter to the paper, alleging that some of the school's rugby players had done huffing while at a rugby tournament in Kimberley. It was allegedly also done by some of the players at their hostel in George.
The principal, Christo Vorster, referred all enquiries to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). Millicent Merton, WCED spokesperson, said on enquiry that the school is investigating the allegations. "At this point there is no proof that the learners inhaled any volatiles in the hostel. Learners are tested regularly for drugs and the school has support programmes to help learners with dependency," she said.
• Abrie de Swardt, well-known sport administrator from George, said he could not comment as he had not heard the rumours. In general, however, he said it should be remembered that young sportspeople are under huge pressure. If any illegal stimulant is used or someone is tested positive for an illegal substance, it is a serious matter. "Testing is increasingly done in school rugby. There is a lot of pressure on young rugby players," he said. It should also be remembered that allegations such as these can be the result of jealousy.
What is "huffing"?
Denise de Beer of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) in George said she could not comment on the specific allegations regarding Outeniqua High. She said "huffing" is the inhalation of substances like petrol fumes, glue or deodorants. "It can be dangerous and affect the nervous system. It should not be taken lightly." She said it can be addictive. "If too much is inhaled, it can cause nausea and light-headedness. It should be avoided. If parents suspect their children are huffing, they should try to find out what had led to it and try to stop it."
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