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View all search resultsYoung people lack education on drug harm says Mahathir
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohammad has said raising awareness on the dangers of drugs is crucial in the fight against illicit drug use and distribution
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ormer Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohammad has said raising awareness on the dangers of drugs is crucial in the fight against illicit drug use and distribution.
Younger generations who were vulnerable to drug use had lacked education on harm caused by drugs, he said.
'Drug distribution models and methods in Indonesia and Malaysia are quite similar. The threat of the death penalty does not have a deterrent effect on people to use and distribute drugs,' said Mahathir on Tuesday.
He was speaking at the International NGO Summit on the Prevention of Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse held at Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University (UMY). Around 500 participants representing international NGOs from several countries attended the summit, which is being held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6.
He said religion was the first defense needed to protect young people from falling into bad things. According to him, all religions prohibited drug and alcohol abuse.
Mahathir said this would remain ineffective, however, unless tough laws designed to protect the public from illicit drug and alcohol use were being implemented along with the creation of positive opportunities for young people.
UMY rector Bambang Cipto said the International NGO Summit was held at the right moment.
"We've seen many deaths associated with alcohol, cigarette and drug use and through this forum, we will comprehensively examine preventive measure recommendations,' he said. (ebf)
