Students attend awareness programme on drug abuse
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad ( SEB) recently held an awareness programme on drug, cigarette and inhalant abuse and the consequences including punishment under the law for 300 students from ten primary and secondary schools in Kapit.
SEB in a press statement said the programme carried out in collaboration with Kapit District Education Office and SMK Kapit 1 was part of the company’s efforts to continuously engage youths in Kapit.
“This programme was in line with SEB’s corporate social responsibility ( CSR) initiatives to promote health and safety awareness among students,” it added.
Speakers at the programme comprised officers from the National Anti- Drug Agency (AADK), Sibu branch and Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division Kapit branch.
Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang officiated at the event.
Also present were SEB’s covering manager for community relation Augustine Supen Taja, SMK Kapit 1 principal Azlinda Nor and representatives from Kapit District Education office, police and AADK.
Wilson when speaking at the event said: “Civic and anti- drug education programmes should be conducted regularly to combat drug problems in schools. Schools are supposed to be a place to educate young people and instil positive values to keep them away from drugs and social ills.”
He lauded SEB for organising the campaign as a way to eradicate drug abuse among students.
Meanwhile, SEB’s assistant general manager for CSR and sustainability Jiwari Abdullah said the company is committed to support education of youths in both academic and social aspects.
“We believe more people are realising that substance addiction has no place in the society and this affects everybody,” Jiwari said, adding SEB would continue to work with the community and relevant agencies to implement youth development programmes to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Students and teachers who attended the one- day progamme were from SMK Kapit, SMK Kapit 2, SMK Selirik, SMK Baleh, SK
Civic and anti-drug education programmes should be conducted regularly to combat drug problems in schools. Schools are supposed to be a place to educate young people and instil positive values to keep them away from drugs and social ills. Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Pelagus assemblyman
Methodist, SK Sungai Amang, SK Kampung Baru, SJKC Hock Lam, SK Kapit and SK Sungai Kapit.
The students said the programme was useful to help them handle and understand drug-related issues and promote awareness on the danger of drug abuse.
Delyna Jembu from SMK Selirik said they gained a lot of new information and knowledge throughout the talk.
“The presentation from speakers provides vital knowledge on drugrelated issues from the police and AADK and their different responsibilities but at the same time complement each other in combating drug abuse,” the student added.
Another student, Boniface Luyoh from SMK Kapit was excited to be a part of the ‘ Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya ( PRS)’ programme – a school curricular club where students are chosen as role models in providing mental, social or emotional help to those in need.
Boniface said friends play an important role in influencing the action of someone especially when it comes to a situation on what is right or wrong.