Algiers – The Ministry of National Education has initiated the implementation of practical measures outlined in the national strategy to combat drugs and psychotropic substances, particularly within educational settings. This initiative follows directives from the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The move comes after the Minister of National Education, Mohamed Seghir Saadaoui, announced the creation of a dedicated hotline for reporting drug-related issues as a core mechanism to enhance a culture of prevention within educational institutions during the launch of a national awareness campaign on November 2nd.
The Minister, along with the National Commissioner for Child Protection, recently held a working meeting to explore the adoption of the toll-free number 1111 in schools. Given that individuals under 18, legally classified as children, are predominantly present in educational institutions, coordination is deemed essential for early prevention and safeguarding students from potential risks.
A technical team from the Ministry visited the National Authority for Child Protection to examine the mechanisms for receiving and processing reports and assess their adaptability to the specific context of the education sector. Key considerations included the size of educational institutions, the number of students nationwide, procedures for processing reports and forwarding them to regional education directorates, ensuring confidentiality and protecting whistleblowers, and establishing a joint protocol for managing cases and intervening when necessary.
The assessment confirmed the feasibility of officially adopting the 1111 hotline within schools. Joint technical teams from the Ministry and the Authority will be responsible for establishing practical operational mechanisms and monitoring cases through coordination between central departments and relevant bodies at both national and regional levels.
The Ministry of National Education has made the 1111 hotline available to the educational community, including students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents, to report any cases requiring follow-up or immediate intervention. This is part of broader efforts to promote a culture of reporting and establish the foundations for drug and psychotropic substance prevention within educational institutions.
The Ministry emphasized that reported information will be treated with strict confidentiality and forwarded to the appropriate authorities for immediate action, ensuring the legal and social protection of students and contributing to a safe and healthy school environment. This measure represents a significant step towards safeguarding students and will be accompanied by regular monitoring and evaluation of results at both local and national levels, in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
