BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE National Anti-Drug Association in Brunei Darussalam (BASMIDA) will join other regional civil society organisations and relevant government agencies to attend the inaugural Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs (APFAD) on August 27 in Singapore.

During the Forum, which advocates zero tolerance against drugs, BASMIDA will be represented by its President Datin Hjh Masni Hj Mohd Ali, whose attendance at the event is self-funded.

Under the theme of “a drug-free Asia-Pacific for our children”, the event will be attended by a limited number of invited participants of about 100 from both government and non-government organisations in Singapore and other countries in Asia-Pacific.

A statement issued yesterday by the Association said Datin Hjh Masni will be attending the inaugural Forum since BASMIDA shares Singapore’s National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA)’s zero tolerance stance against drugs.

“Basmida will work together with other like-minded anti-drug advocates to organise early and resist the pro-drug liberalisation agenda at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs 2016,” the statement added.

NCADA of Singapore hoped that APFAD participants will return home and rally local support for the anti-drug movement. This is critical as nations gear up for the coming UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) in 2016 where the global legal conventions on drugs will be reviewed, said the official website of Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau.

“The anti-drug movement must make its voice heard, supported by people united across the globe, to counter the pro-drug lobby,” the website said.

Formed in January 1995, NCADA is an advisory council to Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs and upholds the country’s zero tolerance stance against drugs.

Meanwhile, BASMIDA, a non-profit organisation established in 1987 has the main objective to carry out preventive drug education among the youth, school children and annual campaigns using all available media and covering all strata of the community.

The Brunei Times