JOHOR TO WARN NIGHTSPOT OWNERS OVER ECSTASY SALES

JOHOR BARU: The state Local Government Committee will call up owners of entertainment outlets to discuss the use of Ecstasy pills.

Chairman Datuk Jimmy Low said owners, particularly those in the city where the problem is widespread, who allow the pills to be sold in the premises would be warned.

He said MCA councillors had been told to collect information on Ecstasy "outlets" and alert local authorities during the monthly meetings.

Low, who is Johor MCA vice-chairman, said the party's committee on social ills, formed to fight Ecstasy and slot machine menace, had set up sub-committees on information gathering, publicity, complaints and enforcement.

"We will launch an anti-Ecstasy campaign before November and hold talks with non-governmental organisations and youth bodies to combat Ecstasy," he said after chairing a meeting with representatives of NGOs and Chinese organisations.

Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said there was increased awareness of the dangers of Ecstasy since MCA focussed its campaign to warn youth.

He said feedback from disco owners indicated that many had stopped taking Ecstasy since the dangers were highlighted.

Dr Chua said MCA would focus on teaching youth to handle social pressure and say no to Ecstasy while teachers and students would be trained to detect pill users.

He said the problem arose from a "lack of awareness'' of the side effects andthere should be continuous programmes to educate youth.