STUDY ON DRIVERS ON DRUGS

JOHOR BARU: The Transport Ministry will look into the reasons and the types
of drugs popularly used by commercial vehicle drivers.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik said further inquiries would be
conducted on those tested positive for such drug abuse to ascertain the
type of drugs that they consume.

"We need to know if they are seriously hooked on to drugs or are just
consuming energy drinks to keep them awake through late night duties.

"We are very concerned that many drivers were tested positive. To get rid
of the problem we need to know the root cause of it.

"The ministry will ask for a detailed report from the Road Transport and
Narcotics Departments," he said when visiting the Tebrau MCA office.

Dr Ling was responding to recent reports that 17%, or 1,205 out of 7,000
commercial vehicle drivers checked for drug abuse nationwide, tested positive.

The drivers were checked during operations conducted jointly by the JPJ and
the Narcotics Department from April 1 to April 3 and between May 13 and May 17.

There are about 700,000 registered commercial vehicle drivers in the country.

Dr Ling commended the joint efforts in setting up road blocks to check drug
abuse, adding that the operations should be intensified to collect a bigger
pool of samples.

"The tested drivers represented just a fraction of the entire workforce. We
need more samples to paint a true picture of the whole situation.

"More roadblocks will also serve as a warning and reminder to drivers that
enforcement teams are looking out for drug abuse offenders, thus, the move
is also preventive in nature," he said.

On Friday night in Malacca--during a dinner to honour victorious
bodybuilders--Dr Ling, who is also the Malaysian Bodybuilders Federation
president, said the sport should be popularised in schools so that Malaysia
could win more medals.

"Like any other sports it should start in schools."

Dr Ling was also given the International Federation of Body Builders'
Golden Order Highest Award medal for organising the World Bodybuilding
Championship last year.

He said Malaysia also won two other international titles--The Best
Bodybuilder of the 20th Century in Asia and The Best Organiser of The Year
2000 titles.

Malacca Bodybuilders and Weight Lifters Association chairman Datuk Wira Gan
Boon Leong won the national sports leadership title for his contributions
to the sport.