Pubdate: Tue, 07 Mar 2006 Source: Star, The (Malaysia) Copyright: 2006 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd. Contact: http://www.thestar.com.my Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) 100 GIRLS IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS ABOUT 100 girl guides from Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur shouted "Belia benci dadah (Youth hate drugs)" with gusto as they started a day-long programme in which they learnt about the subject. The programme, themed "Drugs and HIV/AIDS", was conducted on Saturday at Wisma Pandu Puteri in Jalan Pantai Baru, Kuala Lumpur. It was a joint effort between the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian Youth Council. There were seminars, exhibitions and quizzes in which the participants, aged between 15 and 21, were encouraged to take part interactively in order to achieve the HIV/AIDS badges introduced by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Slide shows were used to help participants better understand the many types of drugs and their consequences, as well as the causes of HIV/AIDS, its symptoms and ways to prevent the disease. "This programme also corresponds with two of the seven key messages of WAGGGS in its re-branding exercise, which are: fight AIDS and let's talk about the dangers of drugs," said the association's chief commissioner, Salbiah Abdul Aziz. "It is also closely associated with our recent celebrations of World Thinking Day themed 'Adolescent Health'. "We urge the youth to put priority on their health as it is a crucial factor to enjoy a happy life and it is also the key to success in life," she added. Salbiah encouraged the participants to share what they learned about the subject with their peers so that more people could fight AIDS together and stay away from drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Tom