MORE RANDOM URINE TESTS AT NORTHERN BORDER

GENTING HIGHLANDS: The authorities will conduct more random urine tests on
Malaysians entering the country through the northern checkpoints in a move
to step up enforcement against drug abuse.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said the move was to identify
whether it was rampant among Malaysians to use amphetamine-type stimulants
(ATS), particularly Ecstasy pills, during their visits to Thailand.

"The checkpoints include those in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Golok Padang Besar and
Pekan Siam where there are many places of entertainment Malaysians are
likely to visit,'' he said.

Chor also said while such tests had been conducted since two years ago, it
would be intensified as the problem of ATS abuse had been more apparent for
the past three to four years.

"Those whose urine test show positive result will be dealt with by law,''
he said after briefing the National Narcotics Agency (NNA) and other
government departments related to anti-drug enforcement in the country.

Chor also said the Government had approved the move to remand for up to a
week patrons of entertainment outlets found to have consumed Ecstasy pills
during police raids.

The move, he said, was to assist police in their investigations by
remanding patrons whom they believe could help them to identify drug peddlers.

"This is for those found positive, whether they are Ecstasy-dependent or
not. Their remand will also serve as a lesson for them to stay away from
ATS,'' he said.

NNA director-general Datuk Salleh Mat Som, who was also at the press
conference, said this was already being done in Penang where police
remanded Ecstasy pill users to help in identifying the drug peddlers.

On the briefing, Chor said the NNA would co-ordinate joint activities with
other government departments such as the Road Transport, Customs, Pharmacy
and Information.

"The activities will be to step up enforcement to curb drug abuse. The JPJ
will check car drivers and revoke or suspend licences of those found to
have used ATS,'' he said.

He added that the NNA would hold a dialogue session with operators of
entertainment outlets on how they could ensure their outlets were drug free.

He hoped that all such operators would attend the dialogue to be held at
the Ampang Jaya Community Hall at 10am next Tuesday. The session is also
open to the public.

He said the briefing also agreed that more initiatives be taken by
non-governmental organisations to join in the efforts against ATS abuse.

One way they could do this, he said was to conduct educational programmes
for parents and the public.

"They can also set up more websites where drug users can obtain information
as well as seek counselling.

"This can help us decrease the use of ATS if not put a total stop to it,''
he said.

On allegations that some policemen where also involved in selling Ecstasy
pills, Chor said police were investigating the matter.