Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jul 2002
Source: Star, The (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2002 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922
Author: Kuldeep S. Jessy

DRUG ABUSE AT WORKPLACE GETTING WORSE

IPOH: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) should address the 
problem of drug abuse at workplaces as records show that 60% of drug 
abusers were workers, said National Drug Agency deputy director- general 
Rashid Mat Adam.

He said the agency was in the midst of discussion with Human Resources 
Ministry officers to include the awareness of drug abuse at workplaces 
through the Act.

Now, he said, the Act did not specifically touch on the need to inculcate 
an awareness or prevention of drug abuse at workplaces.

Inculcating awareness through the Act could expand the scope of drug abuse 
programmes that could then relate aspects of health and safety at 
workplaces, he said after closing a seminar on drug abuse at workplaces 
attended by 120 organisation heads and supervisors from various government 
and private organisations in the state on Saturday.

"If awareness on drug abuse at workplaces can be achieved through the Act, 
then it can be an agenda for discussion at seminars or meetings organised 
by the occupational, safety and health committee or relevant 
organisations," he added.

Rashid said statistics showed that 60% of drug abusers were government and 
private sector workers, adding that many were youngsters and from the 
lower-income group.

"Once involved in drugs they are unable to work, hence disrupting the 
development of the country and becoming a nuisance to their families and 
the community," he said.

Rashid also pointed out that there were about 200,000 drug addicts in the 
country and many were professionals such as managers, engineers, teachers, 
accountants, lecturers and graduates.

He said amphetamine-type of stimulants such as syabu and Ecstasy, also 
known as recreational drugs, were now the most sought after drugs by abusers.

He added that recreational drugs were deadly as they could damage a 
person's mental health and cause death.

Rashid said Sabah had the highest number of amphetamine-type stimulant 
abusers, followed by Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru, adding that such abusers 
caused another problem for the authorities as they needed to be sent for 
psychiatric treatment.
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MAP posted-by: Beth