\The Fight Against Drugs\" Youth Engagement Event - Opening Remarks by Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development "

Ustaz Muhammad Shahrum Sahid,

All of my colleagues from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB),

Youths and friends from Al-Falah Mosque,

Good afternoon.

1.   I’m very happy to see so many of you spending your Sunday afternoon at this very important occasion, “The Fight Against Drugs” event organised by Masjid Al-Falah, South Mosque Cluster in collaboration with CNB, both in-person and on Zoom.

Significance of the Event

2.   Many of us are aware that drugs are harmful. We have heard it in schools, from our parents, and from sessions like today’s. However, the key is knowing to reject offers to abuse drugs, even when we feel we are at the lowest, or highest points of our lives. I’ve seen people whose lives, careers and aspirations destroyed because of their first encounter with drugs. Over the next few months or so, we would like to share more on the harmful effects that drugs can have on our lives, families and society, so that we can save as many people as possible, and people can lead happier and healthier lives.

3.   This is the third of our series of ongoing youth engagements by the mosques and CNB to spread the Dadah Itu Haram (DIH) message, and to reach out to our youths on the dangers of drug abuse. We had our first two engagements in December last year at Masjid Maarof and last February at Masjid An-Nur.

4.   Today, various speakers will be sharing with us the effects that drug abuse can have on an individual, their family and the community, and more importantly, how we can keep ourselves safe, as well as protect our loved ones, from the destructive effects of drugs.

5.   Masjid Al-Falah’s Youth Development Executive, Ustaz Muhammad Shahrum Sahid, will discuss the topic of drug abuse from the Islamic perspective; my colleague Ms Qurratu ‘Ain from CNB will impart practical information on the dangers of drug abuse, specifically on cannabis, in the preventive drug education talk, and a SANA counsellor will share his personal experience on this issue.

6.   Through their sharing, I hope that all of you will be encouraged to stay on the right path, constantly look out for one another, and remind your friends to stay away from drugs. Together we can win the fight against drug abuse.

7.   I would like to sincerely thank Masjid Al-Falah and the South Mosque Cluster for collaborating with CNB and organising this meaningful event to share the anti-drug message with our youths.

8.   Despite some countries taking a more liberalised approach, Singapore will continue to take a strong stance against drugs. We need your support to take this journey with us, so that we can all lead healthier and better lives, and have brighter futures. Like what I shared earlier, we are going to reach out to as many people as possible, through many avenues, to make the harmful effects of drugs more explicit, so that more will know that drugs are something that we should stay away from.

9.   Once again, I would like to thank everyone here for joining us, as well as all the speakers. I would also like to give special mentions to Ustaz Muhammad Shahrum Sahid and his team as well as SANA counsellors for their ardent support in the move towards a drug-free society and to the DIH campaign.

10.   Thank you and have a blessed Hari Raya.