- --=======32D378CD====== Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 Source: China Daily (China) Contact: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/ Feedback: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/focus/letters/index.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/911 Author: QIN JIZE, China Daily staff Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) TEACHING STUDENTS TO RESIST SCOURGE Chinese students aged 10 to 16 are being offered advice on how to stay away from drugs as the nation steps up its battle to curb the growth in the number of addicts. They will be taught about the harmful side effects of drugs and how they impact on a person's health, their family and society. The compulsory course, which started in spring, is tailored to the age group that is most at risk. Of the 1 million drug users registered by the public security authorities in China at the end of 2002, 74 per cent were juveniles, according to latest official data. The proportion is expected to swell further by the end of this year, experts say. At an anti-drug forum in Beijing yesterday, Yin Dakui, the former deputy minister of the ministry of health, said: "Drug awareness education is necessary to reach kids when they are at an age when they are most susceptible." He said they have to see first hand the consequences of a drug overdose and understand how drugs can impact on the development of the human brain. Research has shown that people are more prone to becoming physically addicted to drugs when they are teenagers. "It is a killer for young people as it is very small and easy to take without anyone knowing," said professor Pi Yijun from the China University of Politics and Law. Police have warned teenagers to be particularly cautious about having their drinks "spiked" when at night clubs and parties. Drinks should never be left unattended and people should not accept drinks from others. - --=======32D378CD====== Content-Disposition: inline - --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.493 / Virus Database: 292 - Release Date: 6/25/2003 - --=======32D378CD=======-- - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin