As schools break for summer vacation, police are once again stepping up youth outreach efforts. They are conducting awareness programmes for students, parents, local leaders, and the business community. These initiatives aim to address substance abuse, cybercrime, peer pressure, and other risky behaviours that often emerge during school holidays.
In response to rising concerns over youth vulnerability during holidays, police conducted sensitisation programmes across the country. In Thimphu, police visited Khasadrapchu Middle Secondary School on Saturday.
Around 400 participants, including students, parents, teachers and some local community attended the programme.
Participants were sensitised on key issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, cyber safety, bullying, crime prevention, traffic rules, sexual harassment, mental health, and their legal rights.
Captain Tshering Penjor, South OC, South Thimphu Police Station said, “In schools, children are under the care of teachers from morning till evening. However, during holidays, they have more free time to spend with friends, which can increase the risk of getting into conflict with the law. That is why the police are conducting these awareness programmes, out of concern for the well-being of children.”
According to police records, over 200 children below the age of 17 were in conflict with the law in 2022.
The number decreased to 181 in 2023.
However, it rose again to 305 cases last year.
So far this year, 92 children have been reported to be in conflict with the law.
The most common offences involve substance abuse, followed by battery and burglary.
The participants expressed appreciation for the police’s efforts to engage the community and promote youth safety in the country.
Kencho, a parent said “Such awareness programmes are beneficial for children and can also be valuable for parents. At a time when children are at risk of taking the wrong path, these programmes serve as a reminder of the consequences and impacts of harmful behaviour.”
Pema Wangmo, working in business community said, “As the police officer mentioned today, for business people like us, selling alcohol and tobacco to children not only harms other people’s children but ultimately affects our own children in the community as well. So, we appreciate the police taking the time to advise us on such important matters.”
Dorji Phuntsho, a teacher at Khasadrapchu Middle Secondary School said “Programmes like this play a significant role in reducing crime and mental health issues in schools. If such advocacy efforts are carried out annually, they can greatly help address problems related to drugs and student mental health.”
These ongoing efforts reflect that ensuring youth safety is a shared responsibility.
Kinzang Lhadon
