The Public Security Police (PSP) announced that “232 awareness actions were carried out in 160 educational institutions, involving 240 police officers and 8,056 participants from the entire school community.”
The PSP highlighted that the “Viagem de Finalistas” operation is targeted at students in the third cycle of basic education and secondary education and is conducted through the teams of the safe school program (EPES) following the community policing integrated model.
This initiative is prompted by some incidents recorded during these Easter holiday celebrations, often associated with excessive alcohol and drug consumption.
The PSP confirmed that most of these incidents occurred in Spain.
In response, and with the aim of increasing young people’s awareness of the consequences of alcohol and psychoactive substance consumption, the PSP will invest in international police cooperation.
“As part of a bilateral cooperation agreement, on April 1, the provincial commissioner of Salamanca from Spain’s national police force will send two officers to Guarda city to conduct awareness sessions with secondary school students, in coordination with the District Command of Guarda of the PSP,” focusing on the topic of graduation trips.
The authorities also warned about the increasing use of “rape drugs” (substances that leave sexual assault victims immobile) and the risks associated with their consumption.
The EPES police aim to teach students preventive measures and attitudes to avoid addictive, risky, and illegal behaviors.
Students received self-protection guidance, “focusing on behaviors in night entertainment venues,” particularly those associated “with excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and drinks offered by strangers,” the PSP stated.
The PSP’s note also included a list of precautions for graduation trips, such as not accepting favors, not putting items in luggage at others’ requests, and not going out alone at night.
The organization emphasized the need for “special attention in places with high concentrations of people,” such as cafés, restaurants, shopping centers, public transportation, and airports.
The PSP advised caution with personal belongings and urged young people to avoid carrying all their money in a single pocket or wallet.
The “Viagem de Finalistas” operation took place from March 10 to March 21, according to the PSP.
At the end of the statement, the PSP urged reporting any kind of abuse or other crimes against persons or property, whether as a victim or witness.
It was also noted that EPES interventions can be requested in person or digitally via the email es**********@*sp.pt.
