KUCHING, March 1: While taking drugs may make one feel like they’re in a state of euphoria, it could shorten one’s life or cause brain damage and be a ‘dream killer’.
This was said by Public Health, Housing and Local Government Assistant Minister Michael Tiang during the launching ceremony of the ‘Drugs Kill Dreams’ project in Sibu today.
During the event, the Pelawan assemblyman shared four points as guidelines on acting responsibly to say ‘no’ to drug and substance addiction.
“Firstly, a smart partnership is the way to go. Thus, this collaboration between the four co-organisers — Caritas Sibu, Malaysian Relief Agency, Methodist Pilley Institute, Victory Home, and OSC MIDS (One-Stop Committee to address drug and substance issues) — is a good initiative to create greater public awareness,” he said.
He listed unity as the second point and that everyone must unite in saying ‘no’ to drugs in every aspect of society.
“Drug addiction is happening in our local communities, and it is essential to understand the root causes, how drug addiction can destroy dreams, eliminating the widespread culture of indifference and exclusion towards drug addicts trying to reintegrate into the society, and that now is the time for action against misuse of drugs,” he said.
The third point is ‘our family matters, our life matters’, in which Tiang said there are certain individuals out there to make a profit off drug and substance abuse without caring for the wellbeing of others.
“Drugs are supposedly good if used for medicinal value to treat and heal. However, if used for pleasure or to feel high to escape from problems, it will only hurt us.
“Of course, those who are addicted would indirectly affect their families because it would be impossible for them to fulfil their dreams. Once our brains are damaged, we cannot even think for ourselves, and people will treat us as mentally disturbed or deranged.”
Lastly, he said that he hopes drug abuse and related vices, such as human trafficking, won’t make their way to Sibu, which pose a great threat to social cohesion and order in the country.
“There is a link between drug trafficking and human trafficking. Drug traffickers see both drugs and sex as lucrative industries.
“For example, human traffickers often use drugs as ‘bait’ to recruit people, control their victims or to keep them ‘drugged out’ so that they do not attempt escape.”
He added that when it comes to combating addiction and sex trafficking, it takes a united force and that everyone must work together and look out for indicators.
“It is our social responsibility to relate to the local community service providers and resources that can be readily available to learn more.
“Together, we can work to vastly reduce the rising number of drug and substances and violence associated with trafficking in our very own backyard and beyond.” — DayakDaily
