Asean youths' voice on prevention of drug abuse

VOICES of the Asean youths were heard yesterday at the first Asean Youth Extemporaneous Speaking Competition at RTB where three youth leaders, each representing their Asean member country, came out as winners.

Ten youth leaders delivered their views, opinions and positions as they expounded on topics randomly chosen all pertaining to drug abuse prevention which focused on the youths and their relationship and responsibility with themselves, their families and their communities.

The champion, Jonathan Lim Kok Haw of Brunei who spoke on his topic: "If you knew a young person who felt lonely or bored, and this person was contemplating the use of illegal drugs, what would you say to him/her and why?" pointed out that youths turn to drugs "to escape reality" and that they should find out the root cause of their stress and problems in order to deal with the issue instead of turning to illegal drugs.

He stressed that youths today should be more involved with activities such as sports to rid their mind of contemplating the use of drugs.

"You can get high on other things," said Jonathan. "I get my high from playing tennis and I use it to channel the stress and problems I encounter."

In his third year at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) taking up Bachelor of Health Science, Jonathan has also represented Brunei in the Sunburst Youth Camp in Singapore which was attended by participants from 13 countries.

"There should be more drug education in schools," he said, commenting on what should be done about the increasing drug abuse problem in the country.

"Youths should get together and discuss the drug problems as they listen to their peers."

Jonathan expressed his surprise at coming in first place. "It was unexpected," he said. "If I can influence the youths in Brunei, that makes all the difference in it for me."

Talking her way to second place was Jordan Kate Herrera Bakani of the Philippines with her topic on "What are spiritual values? How do they help in reducing drug abuse among the youths?" Ms Jordan credited her success to her experience as a former drug addict. "I think it made a difference in this competition," she said, adding that her knowledge and experience in working for a drug rehabilitation centre also helped. In further expressing her opinion on the drug abuse problem she said: "We should focus more on prevention rather than crisis management, after all prevention is better than cure."

In third place was Su Win Htike of Myanmar who delivered her speech on "Why is preventive drug abuse education important to the youth?"

Speaking to The Brunei Times she expressed her joy at coming in third place. "It was a great opportunity to be able to talk in front of Bruneian youths on the dangers of drug abuse."

Talking on the extent of the drug abuse problem in her own home country, Ms Su said: "It is not very bad considering, due to all the hard work that has been put in by the non-government organisations in my country." Ms Su has had extensive experience in facilitating awareness programmes with primary and secondary school students on the harm of using illegal drugs.

The Brunei Times