LING SHOCKED DURING FACT-FINDING TRIP TO DISCO

IPOH: In his quest to combat the Ecstasy pill menace, MCA president
Datuk Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik personally went to a discotheque in the
Klang Valley to investigate and get a first-hand account of the
problem.

"The music was so loud. I really can't understand how the patrons
could stand it,'' Dr Ling said in describing his first impression when
entering the discotheque three weeks ago.

"Although, I had been told how youths react after consuming Ecstasy
pills, I was shocked when I saw this with my own eyes,'' he said at
the Ipoh Hawkers and Petty Traders Association first anniversary
dinner on Sunday.

He said he was so sad to see some of the youths at the discotheque
destroying their lives and wasting their time with the Ecstasy pills.

Dr Ling said he was told by the group of youths and MCA members
accompanying him that many Ecstasy users would start to shake their
heads, backsides and bodies at midnight and would only go home at dawn.

"How are they going to study? How are they going to work?

"How are they to concentrate in their daily lives?'' he questioned.

"It will not only affect our health but can also bring a lot of
problems to family and society.

"The public must have a clear picture of this,'' he stressed.

He said the group who went with him also told him that Ecstasy pushers
would normally give patrons free samples initially and would only
charge them when they get hooked.

Dr Ling said the price of an Ecstasy pill could cost more than RM100.

"Give me one advantage of consuming Ecstasy pills.

"I'm very sure you can't find one. According to doctors, Ecstasy pills
can damage the brain, heart, liver and kidney,'' he said.

Dr Ling said the MCA was prepared to face all the threats, difficulties

and challenges during its all-out-war against the Ecstasy menace.

"We will not give up.

"We will go all out until the problem is combated successfully.

"We must all say No! No! No! to Ecstasy pills.

"We must succeed as we can't afford to lose.

"If we do not act now to get rid of the Ecstasy pills, this social ill
will destroy our younger generation and the Chinese race too,'' he
said.

The MCA's campaign against Ecstasy pills will be officially launched
on Aug 21.