BASMIDA SHARES ANTI-DRUG PROGRAMMES AT IFNGO MEET

The National Anti-Drug Association shared its anti-drug programmes
and Islamic values at the 22nd International Federation of
Non-Government Organisations for the Prevention of Drugs and
Substance Abuse (IFNGO) World Conference in Macau, from May 14-18,
according to a press release.

The nine-member Brunei delegation was headed by the association's
president, Datin Hjh Masni Haji Mohd Ali, who also presented a paper
on "Islamic And Spiritual Aspects Of Drug Abuse Prevention From
Brunei's Perspectives".

Datin Hjh Masni also noted that drug abuse is a form of
self-destruction that is forbidden in Islam, and as an individual is
Allah's creation, his body does not belong to himself alone but to
Allah, thus, all beneficiaries to his being are "Rizq" (blessings)
that cannot be abused.

"It is therefore the responsibility of the individual to ensure that
Allah's blessings are retained."

Meanwhile, National Anti-Drug Association honorary secretary Dayang
Linda Abdullah presented a paper on "The Trap Of Alcohol And Tobacco".

Given that alcohol and tobacco are usually the first drugs young
people try, she further said that high school seniors who smoke
everyday are 10 times more likely to use other drugs regularly than
those who don't smoke on a regular basis. Similarly, adolescents who
drink heavily are more likely to use other drugs than non-drinkers
and moderate drinkers.

The conference, attended by some 360 delegates from 40 countries
worldwide, also saw a special forum for youths from various schools
in Macau and a panel of experts to hold open debates on "Why Some
Youths Are Attracted To Drugs", "How To Say No and How To Deal With
Peer Pressure", and "Family And Support For Withdrawal From Drugs".

Meanwhile, IFNGO and the Organisation of Families of Asia and the
Pacific (OFAP) president Nuno Jurge said, "We must converse with our
youth and work with them, instead of just working for them."

It is with this in mind that the OFAP, as the host of the conference,
offered to field a youth forum where concerns could be wholly expressed.

The IFNGO boasts 87 members from 40 countries, and has a special
consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social
Council (UN-ECOSOC).

It is also accredited internationally, with working relations with
UNESCO, ILO, Who, as well as formal affiliation with Asean.

Basmida president Datin Hjh Masni was re-elected the first vice
president of the IFNGO Management Board for 2007-2008, and the
association will be hosting the 17th IFNGO Asean Workshop on the
Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse.

The workshop, themed "Overcoming The Incidence Of Recidivism To
Ensure Asean Drug-Free 2015", will run from December 3-5 this year.

Basmida will also host the 23rd IFNGO Biannual World Conference in
the country in 2009, which will carry the theme, "Global Policies And
Sustainable Programmes For Drug Demand Reduction".