The long awaited “Substance Abuse Awareness Program for School Students” with the aptly chosen Theme of “Your Life, Your Future – Avoid Substance Abuse” was successfully held at Dewan Kulia A, USM on the morning of Saturday 10^th November 2018.

MCPF Penang Chairman Y.Bhg. Dato’ Seri Syed Jaafar Syed Ali delivered Welcome Speech while MCPF Penang’s long time Crime Prevention Advocate and ex-MCPF Penang Deputy Chairman Associate Professor Dr. P. Sundramoorthy delivered the Welcome Remarks on behalf of USM’s Vice-Chancellor. MCPF Senior Vice-Chairman Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye then took center stage and enthralled the crowd comprising of 132 School Students, and 40 School Counselors from 40 Secondary Schools of Penang State with his Keynote Address where he emphasized the dangers of Substance Abuse and how falling prey to such habits could literally destroy whatever promising future that was awaiting the School Students. 3 Officers from the Penang State Education Department and 4 District Education Officers were also present.

Adding positive value to this program were Exhibition Booths that was put up by the Royal Malaysia Police, Penang Contingent, Narcotics Department; the Penang State National Anti-Drug Agency Branch and the AIDS Action and Research Group (AARG) USM. MC for the Day is as always MCPF Penang’s very own SLC Member – Livewire James Mohan.
At the Official Press Conference, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye iterated how vital it was for parents of young drug addicts to play a positive and pro-active role in helping authorities to curb the social menace. He underlined his support to a recent proposal by the (AAK) National Anti-Drug Agency’s Director-General Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah for the introduction of a new law to compel parents of young drug addicts to attend counseling sessions.

This half day event culminated in a Panel Session forum comprising of YDH SAC Dato’ Mohamad Anil Shah from CPCSD of RMP Penang; Y.Bhg. Professor Datuk Dr. Omar Shawkataly of USM; Encik Mohd Nazri bin Hashim of AADK, Penang and Encik Jason Tiong Kion Kai from Health Ministry of Penang State. The four speakers gave insights to the crowd on Substance Abuse from their own perspectives and expertise. MCPF Penang SLC Member JM Tan chaired the Panel Discussion and Q&A Session.