“Be Drug Free” Campaign powered by Peer Influence

The 4-day “Be Drug Free” campaign, organised by Sunway University College held recently, had the admirable objective of educating students on the causes and risks of drug abuse for prevention purposes.

According to the Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK), unofficially in 2008, 69.67% of drug users in Malaysia were between 19 and 39 years old. The biggest push factor for this group was peer group pressure as 55.5% of them began taking drugs because of peer influence.

Through this campaign Sunway has identified and equipped around 60 students as volunteers. Sunway’s counselling unit will provide the volunteers with basic knowledge while guiding and encouraging positive peer influence among students. This drug prevention peer programme will empower students and be the social mechanism that will prevent the risk of drug abuse on Sunway’s campus.

Students saying the Pledge to say “No” to drugs

During the campaign, Sunway also initiated the students’ public pledge to say “no” to drugs. Sunway hoped that through this involving step, students felt proud for contributing to their improved quality of life on campus. The pledge was a commitment which hopefully will stay with the students for the rest of their lives. The Campaign theme song is “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. Campaign volunteers performed this theme song during the opening ceremony.

Stephanie Fernandez, a Canadian International Matriculation Programme student at Sunway said “This is an excellent campaign and is something all of us can relate too”.

The Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony was YB Teresa Kok, Senior Executive Councillor of Selangor. There was also talk by DSB Zaiton Binti Hussein, Pegawai Turus Pengundangan dan Nasihat, Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Narkotik IPK Selangor on “Consequences of Drugs Abuse, Related Law and Symptoms of Drug Addiction”.

Students supporting the campaign

Other participants of the campaign included the Narcotic Department Selangor and Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan. NGOs such as Drug Rehabilitation Centres    Home of Victory and Lifezone as well as Malaysian Care had exhibition booths educating students about drugs. A Royal Malaysian Police K9 unit demonstration will also staged a dog tracking demonstration at the Sunway University College foyer. Canon Malaysia sponsored the prizes in the Photography Contest themed, A Drug-Free Lifestyle. Talks, games, quizzes and group activities were also available for students during the Be Drug Free campaign.