JOHOR PANEL TO PREVENT STUDENTS FROM BEING HOOKED

GENTING HIGHLANDS: The MCA will set up a special committee in Johor to
prevent students, especially those in secondary schools, from being hooked
on Ecstasy pills.

Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik said the MCA was worried that
school students would end up as the drug pushers' next target.

"A recent survey revealed that the pills were already being sold to
university and college students.

"The pills also seem to be getting cheaper and can be bought at RM15 to
RM20 (each),'' he said after chairing the Johor MCA communication committee
meeting yesterday.

Dr Ling said the special panel would be headed by state Environment and
Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek while state Local
Government Committee chairman Datuk Jimmy Low Boon Hong would lead another
committee to liaise with non-governmental organisations, temples and
corporate bodies to increase the public's of awareness on the issue.

The committee would carry out activities to warn students of the dangers of
taking the drug and how to say no to them, Dr Ling said.

Teachers, he added, would be invited to attend courses to get sufficient
knowledge and material on the subject.

Dr Ling said they could also approach the Education Ministry to request for
its co-operation on the matter.

He said many had fallen victim because certain drug pushers would give out
the first few pills for free.

"Once you get hooked, you'll have to pay for them,'' he added.