Schools look like safe places for children and young people in Costa Rica. However, security officials reported an increase in cases of violence and drugs involving students.
Regarding drugs, last year alone 186 doses of marijuana, 179 grams of marijuana and 30 doses of cocaine were seized in schools, aswell as 49 crack rocks, 49 knives and 10 liters of alcohol.
Juan José Andrade, Deputy Minister of Security, said that police action could avoid this type of events, aswell as parent’s collaboration.
Here are some tips to prevent your children from getting caught up in such situations. These were provided by Iván Dumani, Director of Preventive Police Programs of the Ministry of Public Security.
– Maintain good communication with your children, so they can talk to you about their doubts, concerns and problems in school. The idea is to give them an advice instead of scolding them.
– Establish limits for your child, both at home and in school. It is not about a rigid discipline, but about coexistence values.
– Remain vigilant of changes in your child’s behavior: if they are withdrawn, wet the bed, do not want to go to school and lose contact with the family or change their group of friends.
– Be in touch with the school: monitor absences and people around your child.
After exhausting all the previous measures and in case of persisting doubts, it is advisable to opt for more aggressive measures:
– Ensure that the student’s clothing does not smell like smoke or alcohol.
– Check their backpacks to detect objects that reveal the problems.
The Ministry of Public Security expects to reach no less than 85 thousand students this year with crime prevention programs Pina Seguros, Soy Grande and DARE.