Pemadan Youth Club to be set up in secondary schools

The National Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (Pemadam) has proposed for a Pemadam Youth Club to be set up in secondary schools in the move to curb the spread of drub abuse.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the formation of the club which is expected to take place by the end of this year, was in line with the ministry's fight against drug abuse.

According to Nur Jazlan, who is also Pemadam's president, the club aims to expose students on the dangers of drugs.

"The club will first focus on Form 4 and 5 students to observe its effectiveness before proceeding to the lower secondary level (Form 1-3). If the club succeeds at the secondary level, Pemadam will then extend the club to primary schools," he said after launching the second 'Leadership Convention' of institutes of higher learning (IPT) Pemadam Club, at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Sungai Besi Camp, here on Friday.

Also present at the event that was attended by 350 IPT students nationwide, were UPNM vice-chancellor General Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin and Pemadam deputy president Datuk Saiful Bahar Mohd Arshad.

Nur Jazlan added, through the launch of the club, allegations that Pemadam was still using old methods to eradicate drug abuse in schools would also be brushed aside.

"Although drugs have evolved into various forms, Pemadam still plays a proactive role in schools and has its own way of addressing the issue, he said after also launching a leadership module book for the IPT Pemadam Club at UPNM.

He also denied allegations from irresponsible parties on the increase in drug abuse cases among school students.

-- BERNAMA