USING ARTISTES TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE DOES NOT WORK

USING artistes like Datuk Siti Nurhaliza to campaign against drug
abuse has been proven to be too expensive, said Deputy Internal
Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom.

While it was not known if their involvement had any impact against
drug abuse, the problem was worsening by the day, he said.

He said as more than 80% of the addicts were Muslims, the National
Drug Agency planned to hold outreach programmes in mosques starting this year.

Mohd Johari said campaigns against drug abuse held in mosques would
be more effective and inexpensive.

"But first we need to change the mindset of mosque officials to
accept those who have been rehabilitated back into society," he said
after opening the 15th Annual General Meeting of the Kubang Pasu
Mosque Officials Association at Kubang Pasu District Office Hall in
Jitra yesterday.

"There was a case where an Al Hafiz (a person who has memorised the
entire content of the holy Quran) who was caught for a drug offence
was shunned by mosque officials after he was treated at a drug
rehabilitation centre," he said.

Mohd Johari said recurrent cases were high because of the society's
negative attitude towards former addicts.

On the 131 police reports lodged against religious groups who
incited hatred, Mohd Johari said action would be taken under the
Internal Security Act against those who threatened national security.