2006 04: Glue-sniffing still a problem among youths

The Star online. News. South & East. Tuesday April 18, 2006

By SIMON KHOO

KUANTAN: Glue-sniffing is still among the major problems affecting youths in Felda settlements, state Unity, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Datuk Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail said.

He said the situation should be addressed urgently as such cases were increasing at an alarming rate.

“We believe, due to our aggressive campaigns to eradicate drugs abuse, the youths have switched to glue-sniffing.

“This unhealthy trend cannot be contained if there are no concerted efforts, especially by parents, to keep a watch over their children,” he said when met here recently.

Over the past year, Felda, police, Rela and village security and development committees have been working closely to eradicate drug abuse involving youths in the settlements.

Although the campaign was successful, they found the youths had turned to glue-sniffing instead.

Dr Ahmad Shukri said that parents could help eradicate the glue-sniffing habits by emphasising the importance of religion and the family institution to their children.

“We should adopt a care-for-thy-neighbour attitude and advise our children to stay away from unhealthy activities,” he said, adding that settlers could play a role in combating the habit by keeping their eyes on the youths.

He said, every year, the state had set aside allocations for activities such as seminars, motivation camps and exhibitions, but the level of awareness among on the pressing problem was below expectations.

“We should gear towards the common aim of eradicating drug abuse for the sake of the next generation,” he said.

On a separate matter, Dr Ahmad Shukri urged health authorities to keep tabs on products containing caffeine claiming to be able to enhance men's inner strength (tenaga batin).

He said most of the products provided testimonies of users but no clinical reports on their nutritional value.