MORE WOMEN IN DRUG NET

Of 48 Nabbed In Night Spots Last Year, Half Were Staff Members

DRUG-USING club-goers are more likely to be women than men now.

According to the Central Narcotics Bureau, 48 of the 82 people arrested in
night spots here last year, who then tested positive for drugs, were women.
Of these, half were staff members - lounge hostesses.

The bureau gave these statistics to about 30 club owners at the launch of
the second Clubs Against Drugs campaign yesterday.

While drugs like heroin and Ecstasy remain popular with club-goers, others
like Ice and ketamine are gaining popularity too.

Club owners said that they would step up checks on staff, and also
reiterate their anti-drug stance.

The month-long anti-drug abuse campaign ends on May 2, and is the product
of a partnership between the National Council Against Drug Abuse and 51
night spots - mainly discos, pubs and nightclubs.

The council is still trying to build up partnerships with karaoke lounges.

Said Mr Kevin Young, manager of Next Page pub: 'Not only are the men in
blue clamping down on drug abuse, with this campaign, but clubs are also
showing the public that we too don't tolerate drug use.'

Club owners asked for help in spotting symptoms of drug use among patrons
and staff members.

They also suggested that the CNB come up with a how-to guide.

Said one pub owner, who declined to be named: 'We know when someone's
drunk, because you can smell the alcohol.

'But can we smell Ice? We want to help weed out drug abusers, but we don't
know what are the signs to look for.'

This year's $48,000 campaign will see 70,000 coasters, 2,200 posters and
1,000 T-shirts being distributed to the clubs.

Coloured bright red to attract club-goers in darkened night spots, the
materials tell club-goers:

'Drugs - once you start, you're finished.'