Drugs and psychotropic pills found in Guayaquil school during Operation Shield
Police officers found controlled substances and unauthorised medications among the belongings of students at the Guayaquil Fiscal Educational Unit.
Operation at Guayaquil school detects illicit substances and psychotropics among students
Controlled substances, psychotropic pills and unauthorised medications were found among the belongings of students at the Guayaquil Fiscal Educational Unit on Friday, 2 October, according to vistazo.com. The operation was carried out as part of Operation Shield and was headed by the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Gilda Alcívar.
During the operation, police officers inspected rucksacks as a preventive measure and examined classrooms, desks, ceilings and bathrooms in search of prohibited items or illicit substances. The findings also included clothing belonging to other educational establishments.
The psychotropic pills found correspond to medications that are typically prescribed under medical supervision to patients with certain psychiatric conditions, the Ministry of Education clarified.
Following the discoveries, the authorities activated comprehensive protection protocols. The students involved were referred to the Student Counselling Department (DECE) for appropriate handling, whilst their legal representatives would be notified and pertinent disciplinary rules would be applied.
Minister Alcívar stated that these procedures aim to prevent criminal structures from entering the educational environment and exposing children and adolescents to risk situations.
Operation Shield is executed jointly by the ministries of Education, Sport and Culture and the Interior. The strategy includes procedures to anticipate risks and respond to situations that could affect students, and is applied in establishments in Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón. In total, four educational institutions in Zone 8 were intervened under this scheme during the day.
The plan is complemented by the Safe and Protective Educational Communities programme, aimed at preventing violence, promoting coexistence within educational establishments and promoting a culture of peace.
Source: Google News EC — Guayaquil