Drug Free Campaign
Drugs present a grave threat to the beautiful and peaceful world our forefathers envisioned for us. For some of us, having been protected from exposure all our lives thus far; drug abuse is an unfamiliar issue. However, the rest of us know a little more about it and realize that its threats are thinly veiled beneath the façade of a functional, wholesome society.
Hence, from the 5th to the 7th of July, a Drug Free Campaign was held at TCSH to raise awareness about this insidious threat.
On the 6th of July, an anti-drugs officer representing Unit Penguatkuasa dan Keselamatan Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (AADK), which loosely translates to Enforcement and Safety of the National Anti-Drugs Agency, Encik Mohd. Ahmad Kamal bin Khandias came to present a talk on the hard facts of drug-abuse in our country. It was a talk that lasted little more than an hour on a Tuesday morning, and I will attempt to summarize the important points of his talk for the many students who were not able to attend due to conflicting class schedules.
The talk focused on the patterns and types of drugs abused in Malaysia. Having been at his job for 20 years now, En. Ahmad was able to highlight the trends of drug abuse and its horrors vividly. He started by giving a textbook definition of drugs, which is, any psychoactive chemical not used for medical purposes that may cause psychological, mental and physical reliance. There are two classifications of drugs: the Traditional and Artificial. The former consists of drugs obtained from Nature like Marijuana, Cannabis and Heroin. Artificial drugs are just as infamous, namely Syabu, Ecstasy and Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, colloquially known as Crystal Meth. En. Ahmad quoted a local case where a man high on crystal meth murdered his parents under the drug-induced illusion that they were monsters invading his home.
Crystal meth falls under the category of hallucinogenic drugs. The other two categories are stimulants and depressants. Ecstasy, on the other hand is a stimulant, known for inducing a temporary state of increased alertness, increasing arousal and locomotive performance. The consequences of consumption include insomnia, hypertension, anorexia, as well as brain and organ damage. A good example of a depressant is Heroin and Cocaine. Cocaine is known to induce seizures and cause heart attacks. It can also be hallucinogenic. An interesting fact is that many drug traffickers attempt to smuggle Coke across international borders by putting them in condoms and (forgive my crude language) stuffing them up their excretory tracts.
The fight against drugs is a continuous drain on our national reserves. Every day, approximately RM 185,000 is spent on drug rehabilitation in our country. And by the time the sun sets each evening, the relevant agencies average the discovery of 10 new cases requiring rehabilitation. This equates to an annual RM 66.5 million spent on rehabilitation. Another problem is the spreading of AIDS via the sharing of needles used by druggies.
The punishment for drug possession in Malaysia is caning and a minimum of 5 years in prison. To carry 15 grams or more of heroin or morphine is punishable by death in our country. Just for reference, an apple typically weighs between 100 and 150 grams. Why then, do people continue to abuse drugs, knowing very well the risks? Quoting the speaker, the pleasure derived from drug abuse is described to be 6 times more pleasurable than sex. On the 31st of May this year, The Star did a story of three teenage girls, a 17-year-old Johorean and two 16-year-old Sabahans, who confessed to having sex for some syabu. “I would sleep with anyone as long as I’m given syabu,” said Nurul.
Statistics from UNICEF show that 75% of drug abusers in Malaysia are between the ages of 22 and 39. Though we may stereotype drug abusers as under-nourished homeless hobos, scourging the underworld of Malaysia clad in worn, tattered shirts, the reality is far from this. Almost 80% of drug abusers are employed. One known case is a bank manager who earns a monthly RM 10, 000. The surveys also showed that over 50% of victims fell into drug abuse due to peer-pressure. Another 20% became addicts out of simple curiosity.
The talk ended at 11.40, just before lunchtime, and En. Ahmad left the audience with enough to chew on for a good while. Drug abusers are not very different from you and me. The only factor separating us from them is largely environmental. En. Ahmad stressed that we not only abstain from drug-abuse, but also be active agents of prevention. We should all be a little less condescending and judgmental of “druggies”. Each of them deserves our help and many of them were actually physically forced to take drugs.
On a lighter note, performances were held later in the day to entertain the students. Kenneth, Azri and Imran reunited from their Taylor’s Got Talent days to perform a medley of songs, taking their turn on the stage with Maira, famed for her Lady Gaga covers and performances at Earth Hour and the recent Orientation Party. The Dance Club also staged a dance performance that gracefully portrayed the desperation and hardships faced by the victims of drug abuse in an attempt to draw empathy from the students.
If you think you have a drug problem, or if you need further information, do not hesitate to visit the Agency’s branch in Sungai Besi, or call their Putrajaya headquarters at 03-8949-8400.
BY BENJAMIN TAN WAI HWA
Hence, from the 5th to the 7th of July, a Drug Free Campaign was held at TCSH to raise awareness about this insidious threat.
On the 6th of July, an anti-drugs officer representing Unit Penguatkuasa dan Keselamatan Agensi Antidadah Kebangsaan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (AADK), which loosely translates to Enforcement and Safety of the National Anti-Drugs Agency, Encik Mohd. Ahmad Kamal bin Khandias came to present a talk on the hard facts of drug-abuse in our country. It was a talk that lasted little more than an hour on a Tuesday morning, and I will attempt to summarize the important points of his talk for the many students who were not able to attend due to conflicting class schedules.
The talk focused on the patterns and types of drugs abused in Malaysia. Having been at his job for 20 years now, En. Ahmad was able to highlight the trends of drug abuse and its horrors vividly. He started by giving a textbook definition of drugs, which is, any psychoactive chemical not used for medical purposes that may cause psychological, mental and physical reliance. There are two classifications of drugs: the Traditional and Artificial. The former consists of drugs obtained from Nature like Marijuana, Cannabis and Heroin. Artificial drugs are just as infamous, namely Syabu, Ecstasy and Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, colloquially known as Crystal Meth. En. Ahmad quoted a local case where a man high on crystal meth murdered his parents under the drug-induced illusion that they were monsters invading his home.
Crystal meth falls under the category of hallucinogenic drugs. The other two categories are stimulants and depressants. Ecstasy, on the other hand is a stimulant, known for inducing a temporary state of increased alertness, increasing arousal and locomotive performance. The consequences of consumption include insomnia, hypertension, anorexia, as well as brain and organ damage. A good example of a depressant is Heroin and Cocaine. Cocaine is known to induce seizures and cause heart attacks. It can also be hallucinogenic. An interesting fact is that many drug traffickers attempt to smuggle Coke across international borders by putting them in condoms and (forgive my crude language) stuffing them up their excretory tracts.
The fight against drugs is a continuous drain on our national reserves. Every day, approximately RM 185,000 is spent on drug rehabilitation in our country. And by the time the sun sets each evening, the relevant agencies average the discovery of 10 new cases requiring rehabilitation. This equates to an annual RM 66.5 million spent on rehabilitation. Another problem is the spreading of AIDS via the sharing of needles used by druggies.
The punishment for drug possession in Malaysia is caning and a minimum of 5 years in prison. To carry 15 grams or more of heroin or morphine is punishable by death in our country. Just for reference, an apple typically weighs between 100 and 150 grams. Why then, do people continue to abuse drugs, knowing very well the risks? Quoting the speaker, the pleasure derived from drug abuse is described to be 6 times more pleasurable than sex. On the 31st of May this year, The Star did a story of three teenage girls, a 17-year-old Johorean and two 16-year-old Sabahans, who confessed to having sex for some syabu. “I would sleep with anyone as long as I’m given syabu,” said Nurul.
Statistics from UNICEF show that 75% of drug abusers in Malaysia are between the ages of 22 and 39. Though we may stereotype drug abusers as under-nourished homeless hobos, scourging the underworld of Malaysia clad in worn, tattered shirts, the reality is far from this. Almost 80% of drug abusers are employed. One known case is a bank manager who earns a monthly RM 10, 000. The surveys also showed that over 50% of victims fell into drug abuse due to peer-pressure. Another 20% became addicts out of simple curiosity.
The talk ended at 11.40, just before lunchtime, and En. Ahmad left the audience with enough to chew on for a good while. Drug abusers are not very different from you and me. The only factor separating us from them is largely environmental. En. Ahmad stressed that we not only abstain from drug-abuse, but also be active agents of prevention. We should all be a little less condescending and judgmental of “druggies”. Each of them deserves our help and many of them were actually physically forced to take drugs.
On a lighter note, performances were held later in the day to entertain the students. Kenneth, Azri and Imran reunited from their Taylor’s Got Talent days to perform a medley of songs, taking their turn on the stage with Maira, famed for her Lady Gaga covers and performances at Earth Hour and the recent Orientation Party. The Dance Club also staged a dance performance that gracefully portrayed the desperation and hardships faced by the victims of drug abuse in an attempt to draw empathy from the students.
An interpretative dance performance by the Dance Club
If you think you have a drug problem, or if you need further information, do not hesitate to visit the Agency’s branch in Sungai Besi, or call their Putrajaya headquarters at 03-8949-8400.
BY BENJAMIN TAN WAI HWA
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