MELAKA, July 3 (Bernama) — Drafting a new or amending an existing law will not be able to help curb glue-sniffing activity, especially among teenagers in this country, according to crime analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim.
Instead, a caring society and stern enforcement by the authorities were the most important elements to ensure that the country’s future leaders and heirs would not be ‘killed’ by such an activity, he said.
He said traders, as members of the society, should not sell glue to teenagers without at least question what they would do with it.
“Traders should not worry about losing RM1 or RM2 from their profit to the extent of being willing to ‘lose’ a member of their future generation by providing destructive fantasies and hallucinations, which were part of the harmful side effects of glue-sniffing, to the teenagers.
“At least ask them what they want it for, that is an important first step. If dubious, do not sell the glue to them. Our teenagers are more valuable than RM1 or RM2 profit,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Kamal Affandi said the move taken by Melaka government to control and restrict the sale of glue was indeed a good move, but effective enforcement and cooperation from neighbouring states were still needed to ensure the ruling would bring about the desired impact.
“This is because if Melaka enforces the ruling, but its neighbouring state Negeri Sembilan does not, the ruling will not be effective,” he said.
On June 23, Melaka State Assembly approved a motion to control and restrict the sale of glue to curb glue-sniffing in the state, making Melaka the first state in the country to do so.
Puteri Umno chief Mas Ermieyanti Samsudin said law without effective enforcement by the authorities and the local community would not give any meaning in the effort to curb glue-sniffing among teenagers.
Mas Ermieyanti, who is also Alor Gajah Anti-Drug Action Council chairman, said all parties, including members of the public should realise that the glue-sniffing activity among teenagers was not a petty or harmless issue.
“I must stress that there are cases of teenagers who died due to glue-sniffing. Death is not a petty issue, all quarters should realise the danger of glue-sniffing so that they can take precautionary measures to prevent their family and community members from getting involved,” she said.
Mas Ermieyanti said frequent checks on glue-selling shops and glue-sniffer’s nests were also vital to curb glue-sniffing activity.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman said regulations enforced at state level would not be able to curb the abuse of glue.
Instead, he said the decision to control and restrict the sale of glue should be introduce at the national level.
“Make the glue a controlled item, but at the same time, we must not trouble the industry players to buy the item because they need it. We need to be specific and restrict the sale of glue to teenagers or anyone who may abuse it.
“However, we may have the law and regulation in place but without enforcement, they will not mean a thing,” he added.
— BERNAMA
