Beware online drug predators, youngsters warned

AN ASSEMBLY of 54 Year 8 students from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School yesterday were warned of the dangers of making friends through online social networking media such as Facebook and Twitter as their new "friends" might be drug traffickers trying to lure them into becoming drug mules.

"You should be careful with who you accept as friends on your Facebook," Assistant Narcotics Officer Wasulhana Hj Sudin of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) told the students. She explained that the NCB had learned through its investigations that drug traffickers mostly find their victims through popular social networking sites and online chat programes by posing as potential suitors or employers to lure the victims into meeting them.

Wasulhana also explained the various smuggling techniques and tactics used by international drug syndicates to lure victims.

Among the students was a granddaughter of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, YAM Pg Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolqiah Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Hj Abdul Rahim.

Wasulhana gave a talk focusing on the dangers and classifications of various drugs found in Brunei, accompanied by pictures depicting the frightening physical effects they can have on a person's body and organs.

Fellow Assistant Narcotics Officer Abdul Rahman Ahmadjalani explained the strategy behind the NCB's new Al-Islah Rehabilitation Centre.

The centre aims to instil a sense of community, strengthen religious faith and reassert family values in a person incarcerated there, he said. The centre also aims to reduce the number of relapses a rehabilitated intern may suffer.

The students also viewed an anti-drug exhibition with displays of different types of drugs, though "mock" materials were used, not real drugs.

It also displayed anti-drug campaign materials and posters emblazoned "NDA! No to Drugs at All". The students watched a live demonstration involving sniffer dogs before ending their visit with a tour of the bureau's investigation rooms and holding cells.

The visit was organised by the school's "Melayu Islam Beraja (MIB), Counselling and Human Development Unit" under its "Learning Journey Programme". The head teacher of the unit, Hj Samsul Muanan Hj Shodiq, said that apart from the MIB concept students were exposed to different ministries in the government, with the visits aimed at educating the students to keep away from drugs and embrace a healthy life.The Brunei Times