Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jun 2003
Source: China Daily (China)
Contact: editor@chinadaily.com.cn
Website: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/
Feedback: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/focus/letters/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/911
Author: QIN JIZE, China Daily staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

TEACHING STUDENTS TO RESIST SCOURGE

Chinese students aged 10 to 16 are being offered advice on how to stay
away from drugs as the nation steps up its battle to curb the growth
in the number of addicts.

They will be taught about the harmful side effects of drugs and how
they impact on a person's health, their family and society.

The compulsory course, which started in spring, is tailored to the age
group that is most at risk.

Of the 1 million drug users registered by the public security
authorities in China at the end of 2002, 74 per cent were juveniles,
according to latest official data. The proportion is expected to swell
further by the end of this year, experts say.

At an anti-drug forum in Beijing yesterday, Yin Dakui, the former
deputy minister of the ministry of health, said: "Drug awareness
education is necessary to reach kids when they are at an age when they
are most susceptible."

He said they have to see first hand the consequences of a drug
overdose and understand how drugs can impact on the development of the
human brain.

Research has shown that people are more prone to becoming physically
addicted to drugs when they are teenagers.

"It is a killer for young people as it is very small and easy to take
without anyone knowing," said professor Pi Yijun from the China
University of Politics and Law.

Police have warned teenagers to be particularly cautious about having
their drinks "spiked" when at night clubs and parties. Drinks should
never be left unattended and people should not accept drinks from others.

- --=======32D378CD======
Content-Disposition: inline

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.493 / Virus Database: 292 - Release Date: 6/25/2003

- --=======32D378CD=======--