PADAWAN: Habitat for Indigenous and Urban Programme (Hidup) and Persatuan Wanita Puncak Borneo (PWPB) recently co-organised a talk and exhibition on the prevention of drug addiction in Kampung Assum here.
The speakers were Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (AADK) officer Ali Manja and an official from the Organisation for Addiction Prevention Treatment & Rehabilitation (Oaptar) Cindy Biding.
During the talk, they highlighted real life experiences in handling drug addiction cases and had a very engaging session with the parents and attendees.
Both Hidup president, George Young Si Ricord Jr and PWPB chairman Mimi Stephen stressed that drug abuse prevention started with parents taking a proactive approach to engaging their children in open and honest communication about such issues.
The talks covered tips on how parents should learn how to talk with their children about difficult topics, understand why, when, where and how children became addicted.
George advised parents to spend more quality time with their children such as during meals or family outings to nurture an environment where their children could communicate with their parents freely and comfortably.
“It is never too young to warn our children about the dangers of substance addiction and abuse,” he said.
A colouring competition was held for young children while their parents attended the talk.
For further information on Hidup’s activities, go to its Facebook page under hidup kuching or contact it at 0111 8580528/0111 8990528.
