Pubdate: Sat, 05 Aug 2000
Source: Star (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2000 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  13 Jalan 13/6, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: http://www.thestar.com.my

INSURANCE AGENT: DRUG RUINING MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE

KUALA LUMPUR: An insurance agent is at a loss over what to do with her
only daughter, who is dating an Ecstasy junkie, and showed signs of
being an addict herself.

The woman, who wished to be known as Tan, said at a press conference
with MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Michael Chong
that it all started when her daughter, 17, was introduced to the
nightlife of discos and clubs by her 15-year-old boyfriend.

Tan, a widow, said her daughter, after meeting the boy, had been going
out to clubs every week without fail.

She said her daughter's boyfriend had openly confessed that he took
Ecstasy pills regularly.

"She used to come back from the clubs only the next morning, pale and
nauseated.

"That was when I suspected that she was on Ecstasy pills as well,''
she said.

She added that she had tried many times to stop her daughter from
going, but it only made her violent.

"She had even threatened to run away and also commit suicide,'' she
said.

Caught by the nightlife and drained of energy, Tan's daughter soon
dropped out of school.

Tan broke into tears when she related that just three months ago her
daughter was one of the top students in her school. She said the only
solution was to move her daughter away from the boy.

Chong urged the public, especially girls, to be wary of going to
nightclubs as people there were known to encourage the taking of
Ecstasy and even to spike drinks with it.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake