Pubdate: Wed, 08 Dec 2004
Source: China Daily (China)
Contact:   http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/911
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

APPLAUDING BEIJING'S DRUG EDUCATION MEASURES

To keep teenagers away from drugs, a new course has been written into
the curriculum for primary and secondary schools in Beijing.

Drugs and AIDS came under the spotlight on World AIDS Day on December
1.

Although human beings have a longer history of fighting drug addiction
than AIDS, the task remains herculean. Drugs are beginning to attack
the vulnerable, especially the young.

Statistics from the National Drug Control Commission show that the
number of drug addicts below the age of 35 accounts for 70 per cent of
all addicts. They have already become a part of schools, targeting
impressionable teenagers.

It has also been reported that 30 per cent of juvenile trouble-makers
have gone off the rails because of drugs.

The Beijing government now says that students aged 11 to 18 must be
educated about drugs. Young people need to be made more aware of the
danger of narcotics to stop them getting involved.

Knowledge is the most effective weapon that schools can give to
minors.

Drug-taking starts for a number of reasons, some of which seem stupid
in adult eyes. Girls may take them thinking they are the way to keep
them fit and slim.

Some youngsters submit to peer pressure to show they have "street
cred." Some are simply rebels with a cause, usually against their
parents and discipline.

Beijing's required education is timely and necessary. And it isn't
just the schools that should take responsibility. Parents must play a
part too, devoting time to educating them rather than handing out
handsome allowances, which after all simply increases the capability
of their children to afford the illicit substances.

Beijing has set a good example. We hope more areas follow suit, in
this world where the substances are becoming increasingly accessible.
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MAP posted-by: Derek