Chieng meeting parents at the Anti-Drug Campaign launch at SJK (C) Sacred Heart in Sibu.
THE police and National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) need to get the Education Ministry’s approval before carrying out surprise drug inspections and urine tests at schools.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said the ministry’s involvement was needed although he agreed in principle to such inspection to curb potential drug abuse among students.
“I support such initiatives but the anti-drug campaign held at schools must be intensified so that the message on the dangers of drugs can be conveyed to students from an early stage,” he said during the Anti-Drug Campaign launch at SJK (C) Sacred Heart in Sibu.
Chieng also called on the police and AADK to carry out frequent inspections at nightclubs and karaoke centres.
He expressed concern regarding the number of drug addicts in Malaysia, which had reached 1,097,408.
According to statistics from the National Anti-Drug Agency, 328,640 of the total number of addicts are between 15 and 29 years old.
“This is something very worrying. According to a study in 2020, for every 100 youths, six are involved in drug abuse.
“So, more than six percent of youths are involved in drugs,” he said while urging the government to pay serious attention to the issue.
Also present was the Chinese Community Leaders Sibu chairman Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming, who is also the campaign’s organising committee chairman.
