Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jun 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

HELP EX-ADDICTS BY HIRING THEM, BOSSES URGED

SHAH ALAM: Former drug addicts should be given employment opportunities to
prevent them from returning to their old habits. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk
Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said employers could help these former addicts to
return to society by hiring them.

"Accept them. Give them any suitable job and at the same time institute
proper supervision,'' he said after launching the International Anti-Drug
Day at the Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton) grounds yesterday.

More than 4,000 participants from government agencies and departments as
well as workers from several factories, including Proton, took part in a
parade in conjunction with the day.

Abdullah said employers should have more compassion before denying work to
former addicts.

He said they needed proper guidance and assistance not only from their
family members but also from other members of society.

Abdullah said drug abuse was still considered the primary public enemy to
the nation and that more efforts were needed to fight the problem.

He added that the problem was not restricted to any level of socio-economic
status and that it was a menace to the poor as well as the rich.

"Although the new statistics show that there are fewer new addicts,
unfortunately there are more repeat cases.

"We cannot relax and neglect this problem because there is still more work
to be done,'' he said.
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