ID :
34892
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 15:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/34892
The shortlink copeid
DRUG-FREE ASEAN BY 2015 TARGET TO CURB ``GATEWAY DRUGS`` ABUSE
KUCHING (Malaysia), Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The International Federation of Non-governmental Organisations for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse (IFNGO) has targeted a drug-free Asean by 2015 to counter the widespread abuse of "gateway drugs" among the region's younger generation, who are susceptible to the lure of alcohol and tobacco.
Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said Wednesday children and the youth
who were addicted to such "gateway drugs" provided the recruitment base for
addiction to illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
"Fighting the war against drugs is a formidable and difficult task. I am
certain that with concerted effort from all members of the Asean IFNGO network,
we can bear down on the problem of gateway drugs and achieve our goal of a
drug-free Asean by 2015," he said.
He said this at the opening of the 18th IFNGO Asean workshop attended by
100
participants from 15 countries. His speech was delivered by his deputy,
Dr George Chan.
He said the unfortunate reality of the war against drugs was that it was a
war without borders while the drug trade was a lucrative international business.
However, he said, Asean had shown much progress in promoting collaborative
efforts at the regional level to eradicate the menace through the strongest
political will and, as a result, had the toughest anti-illicit drug-traficking
legislation in force.
Referring to drug addiction and sustance abuse as a multi-faceted problem,
Taib said Malaysia, which maintained a tough and uncompromising stand on the
issue, prescribed a mandatory death sentence for those found guilty of dealing
in and distributing drugs.
Speaking to reporters later, IFNGO president Nuno Jorge said there was a
need to create public awareness and research on the dangers of synthetic drugs,
which could be easily obtained via the Internet.
"Don't forget that in your street, in your neigbourhood, some synthetic
brands may be manufactured, which is very worrying because people just do not
have much knowledge about dosage and everything," he said, adding that the
relevant NGOs with the respective government's support could educate the public
to change their attitude on the dangers of contracting diseases related to drug
abuse.
This year's workshop hosted by Malaysia is held here to promote East
Malaysia state-Sarawak as a viable and desirable venue for meetings, incentives,
conferences and exhibitions (Mice) as well as an eco-nature, cultural,
adventure, gourmet and halal food destination.
It is expected to come up with recommendations to enhance strategies for
an
Asean drug-free 2015 and identify problems faced and addressed by NGOs
affliated to the IFNO regarding national and regional programmes and
policies.
-- BERNAMA
Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said Wednesday children and the youth
who were addicted to such "gateway drugs" provided the recruitment base for
addiction to illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
"Fighting the war against drugs is a formidable and difficult task. I am
certain that with concerted effort from all members of the Asean IFNGO network,
we can bear down on the problem of gateway drugs and achieve our goal of a
drug-free Asean by 2015," he said.
He said this at the opening of the 18th IFNGO Asean workshop attended by
100
participants from 15 countries. His speech was delivered by his deputy,
Dr George Chan.
He said the unfortunate reality of the war against drugs was that it was a
war without borders while the drug trade was a lucrative international business.
However, he said, Asean had shown much progress in promoting collaborative
efforts at the regional level to eradicate the menace through the strongest
political will and, as a result, had the toughest anti-illicit drug-traficking
legislation in force.
Referring to drug addiction and sustance abuse as a multi-faceted problem,
Taib said Malaysia, which maintained a tough and uncompromising stand on the
issue, prescribed a mandatory death sentence for those found guilty of dealing
in and distributing drugs.
Speaking to reporters later, IFNGO president Nuno Jorge said there was a
need to create public awareness and research on the dangers of synthetic drugs,
which could be easily obtained via the Internet.
"Don't forget that in your street, in your neigbourhood, some synthetic
brands may be manufactured, which is very worrying because people just do not
have much knowledge about dosage and everything," he said, adding that the
relevant NGOs with the respective government's support could educate the public
to change their attitude on the dangers of contracting diseases related to drug
abuse.
This year's workshop hosted by Malaysia is held here to promote East
Malaysia state-Sarawak as a viable and desirable venue for meetings, incentives,
conferences and exhibitions (Mice) as well as an eco-nature, cultural,
adventure, gourmet and halal food destination.
It is expected to come up with recommendations to enhance strategies for
an
Asean drug-free 2015 and identify problems faced and addressed by NGOs
affliated to the IFNO regarding national and regional programmes and
policies.
-- BERNAMA
