Monday, January 09, 2006

More enforcement needed

MalayMail: The authorities have been urged to step up enforcement against drug pushers and addicts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.
This call came from National HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Roadshow adviser Datuk Liow Tiong Lai yesterday.
He said statistics revealed that most people infected with HIV/AIDS are drug addicts.
He said: “Although Malaysia has strict laws against drug trafficking, drugs are still easily accessible. More stringent action is needed to fight the drug menace.”
Liow was speaking at the launch of the National HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Roadshow event in Petaling Street. It was organised by the Young Malaysian Movement (YMM).
Also present were Bukit Bintang MCA chairman Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng, YMM president Ng Chin Long and ING Insurance vice-president Rien Hermans.
Liow urged non-governmental organisations and the public to step up efforts in helping the Government’s anti-drug campaign.
He said recent findings by the YMM revealed that Malaysia is ranked fifth amongst Asia-Pacific countries behind China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in AIDS infection growth.
The YMM campaign began last December and the roadshow will be visiting 20 towns and cities until May.
The campaign aims to educate the public about AIDS, how the disease is spread, and how Malaysians can assist people with HIV/AIDS.
All visitors to the roadshow receive an information kit and a complimentary packet of condoms sponsored by ING Insurance and Nulatex, respectively.

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