Pubdate: Sun, 22 Apr 2007
Source: Star, The (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2007 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922

USING ARTISTES TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE DOES NOT WORK

USING artistes like Datuk Siti Nurhaliza to campaign  against drug 
abuse has been proven to be too expensive,  said Deputy Internal 
Security Minister Datuk Mohd  Johari Baharom.

While it was not known if their involvement had any  impact against 
drug abuse, the problem was worsening by  the day, he said.

He said as more than 80% of the addicts were Muslims,  the National 
Drug Agency planned to hold outreach  programmes in mosques starting this year.

Mohd Johari said campaigns against drug abuse held in  mosques would 
be more effective and inexpensive.

"But first we need to change the mindset of mosque  officials to 
accept those who have been rehabilitated  back into society," he said 
after opening the 15th  Annual General Meeting of the Kubang Pasu 
Mosque  Officials Association at Kubang Pasu District Office  Hall in 
Jitra yesterday.

"There was a case where an Al Hafiz (a person who has  memorised the 
entire content of the holy Quran) who was  caught for a drug offence 
was shunned by mosque  officials after he was treated at a drug 
rehabilitation  centre," he said.

Mohd Johari said recurrent cases were high because of  the society's 
negative attitude towards former addicts.

On the 131 police reports lodged against religious  groups who 
incited hatred, Mohd Johari said action  would be taken under the 
Internal Security Act against  those who threatened national security.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman