Pubdate: Tue, 04 Dec 2007
Source: Borneo Bulletin (Brunei)
Copyright: 2007 Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.brunei-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3514
Author: P Marilyn
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

17TH IFNGO ASEAN NGOS WORKSHOP CONTINUES THE FIGHT  AGAINST
DRUGS

The 17th International Federation of Non-Government  Organisations for
the Prevention of Drug and Substance  Abuse (IFNGO) Asean NGOs
Workshop was officially  declared open yesterday by the Minister of
Home  Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri  Setia Awang
Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib  Dato Seri Setia Awang
Haji Mohd Yusof, at Rizqun  International Hotel in Gadong.

Themed "Overcoming the Incidence of Recidivism for  Asean Drug-Free
2015", the three-day event was  organised by the National Anti-Drug
Association of  Brunei Darussalam (BASMIDA) in cooperation with IFNGO
and supported by the Colombo Plan and International  Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs, US Department of  State.

This is the third time BASMIDA honoured with the  opportunity to host
the IFNGO Asean NGOs workshop, and  this year, the workshop gathered
participants from the  Asean NGOs and also from the USA, the Colombo
Plan,  Macau, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and UN office of  Drug
Crime to discuss the issue of recidivism.

Datin Hajah Masni binti Haji Mohd Ali, President of  BASMIDA, in her
welcoming address said, "The processes  of treatment and
rehabilitation indeed take time and  require financial resources from
the individuals  themselves, their families, communities and the
government."

"One objective of all processes of treatment and  rehabilitation is to
seek a success rate where  recidivism does not occur. The extent of
the success of  any treatment and rehabilitation is measured by the
rate of recidivism and accordingly, we should agree on  a standard,
which would be recognised by as many  institutions and agencies, so
that we can make  meaningful comparisons," said Datin Hajah Masni.

In its efforts to fight the scourge of drug abuse in  Brunei and as a
national NGO, Datin Hajah Masni said  that BASMIDA was always ready to
take new and proactive  steps in reducing drug demands.

She emphasised that BASMIDA has recently been accorded  further
recognition by ISESCO (Islamic Educational and  Scientific Council),
and has received a grant in order  to carry out a project that will
train former female  drug-addicts the skills of traditional Bruneian
massage.

The opening ceremony also saw the President of  IFNGO-cum-President of
the Asia Pacific Family  Organization (OFAP), Arch. Nuno Maria Roque
Jorge, and  Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan, Ms Patricia
Yoon-Moi Chia, delivering their welcoming speeches and  thanks.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath