Addicts not doomed for life

Star: PENANG: A drug addict is not doomed for life. Unfortunately, that is the general perception, said an anti-drug abuse voluntary group here.
Global Addiction Network said there were many success stories of those who had kicked the habit.
“If properly administered, treatments can be successful,” said its chairman Datuk Zainuddin Bahari.
Speaking at an international symposium here on Saturday, he stressed on the importance of follow-ups once former addicts leave rehabilitation centres.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who opened the symposium, said the drug menace was more serious in developed countries as their nations had more spending power.
However, he said, the situation in Malaysia was also alarming.
“I am told that there is a new case of drug addiction every two hours in Malaysia.
“That means there are 360 new drug addicts every month,” he added