Focus on those most likely to abuse drug — UMS professor
KOTA KINABALU: In order to win the war on drugs, the country must first focus on the vulnerable target group, those who are most likely to fall into the trap of drug abuse.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Shahril Yusof said this in his officiating speech at the National-level Interactive Seminar: Kaunseling Dan Pengalahgunaan Bahan, Smart Sharing Programme (Sharp) 2017 on Wednesday at Recital Hall, UMS.
“We must know which group is most vulnerable to drugs. Our efforts must be focused on these people,” Shahril stressed.
He asserted that groups of drug abusers may vary from one state to another.
“For example, in Kuala Lumpur, most of the drug abusers are mainline abusers (drugs which are injected directly into a major vein), whereas in Sabah, most of the drug abusers are more involved in glue sniffing and syabu abuse,” he explained.
He added the country must not only focus on the abusers alone but they must focus on the suppliers as well.
Even the drug suppliers conduct their own studies on which part of the community they should sell the drugs to, he disclosed.
In line with this, he urged the UMS students to come up with new studies and ideas on how to eradicate drug abuse.
“We must think outside the box. We must not remain in autopilot mode. We should not just stick to the old methods.
“For example, psychology students should come up with new ideas on how to win the war on drugs.
“If we do not come up with something new, we will remain static. To win the fight, we must be faster than the dealers,” he reiterated.
The event was organized by Speciality Programme for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Spada), a programme under UMS’ Psychology and Education Faculty.
Also present in the event was the Dean of Psychology and Education Faculty, Professor Hj Mohd Dahlan Hj A. Malek.
Mohd Dahlan explained that the event is a yearly programme that aims to serve as a platform for the psychology students of UMS to exchange ideas on solving the drug dilemma, in line with the government’s contention.
He disclosed that UMS had even invited a group from Indonesia to guide its students in the event.