BETONG: Alcoholism and drug abuse, almost always confined to the urban community, are now finding their evil way into the rural community.
And Betong Division is no longer immune to these menaces, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“This is perhaps due to the better standard of living and better road links. And when the prices of oil palm and pepper were good, many people or their children could afford many things,” he said at a dialogue at Rh Dau Gandau, Temedak in Ulu Spak here.
The deputy chief minister said the problem had led to alcoholism and now, even drug and substance abuse among the youths here is common.
“This month, for instance, we had two fatal road accidents involving youths who were said to be intoxicated,” he said.
Uggah hoped that the Social Development Council could help find ways to tackle these problems.
“I would suggest to begin at primary school level, with special anti-alcoholism and anti-drug abuse programmes.
“Let us indoctrinate the young minds, to make them hate smoking, drug and substance abuse and excessive drinking.
“Similarly, among the very young children, we should teach them to be aware of sexual abuse and to report any occurrence,” he said.
Uggah said another social problem that needed to be eradicated was teenage pregnancy.
“These problems are due to the lack of discipline and parental monitoring.”
He said the people’s representatives would be happy to help in the organising of programmes to tackle this social woe.
Meanwhile, Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat described the dialogue as useful.
He was happy that longhouse chiefs and parents were among the participants.
“The elderly could do their part to advise and remind the youths to stay away from these problems,” he added.
Also present were Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu and the council’s executive secretary Dr Zufar Yadi Brendan Abdullah.
