DARO – A total of 36 students and 13 teachers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Batang Lassa participated in the 2026 Anti-Drug Advocacy Programme today.
The initiative was designed to deepen young people’s understanding of the dangers posed by drug abuse, vaping, cigarettes and other illicit substances.
It also aimed to nurture noble values, a strong sense of identity and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle free from drugs.
The programme featured an anti-drug lecture delivered by Mr. Mohamed Bin Tumi, an officer from the National Anti-Drug Agency.
His talk covered the physical, mental and legal consequences of substance abuse, tailored to be accessible for primary school pupils.
Beyond the lecture, the agency set up exhibition boards that visually depicted the harmful effects of various addictive substances.
Students also took part in an interactive question-and-answer session where they could clarify doubts and test their knowledge.
A quiz component added an element of friendly competition, reinforcing key lessons in an engaging way.
The programme further incorporated group training sessions, known as Latihan Dalam Kumpulan, which encouraged pupils to work together on anti-drug scenarios.
Each group was tasked with discussing real-life situations and presenting their findings to the rest of the participants.
This method helped build confidence and communication skills while embedding the anti-drug message more deeply.
Teachers on site actively facilitated the group activities, ensuring that every student had the opportunity to contribute.
The event served as a practical platform to strengthen collaboration between the school and the National Anti-Drug Agency.
Officials noted that such cooperation is essential in creating a safe and drug-free school environment.
By working together, educators and enforcement officers can deliver consistent prevention messages that reach children at an impressionable age.
The National Anti-Drug Agency’s Mukah branch coordinated the programme, reflecting its ongoing commitment to drug prevention education in rural areas.
Daro, a coastal district, is among the locations where the agency seeks to increase outreach to schools that may have limited exposure to such initiatives.
Bringing advocacy programmes directly into the classroom removes barriers to access and ensures that critical information does not bypass remote communities.
Throughout the day, students learned to identify common tactics that could lead them towards experimenting with harmful substances.
They were also taught practical refusal skills, equipping them to make safer choices when faced with peer pressure.
The teachers reported that the sessions sparked meaningful conversations among the children, even during breaks.
For many pupils, hearing directly from an AADK officer gave the warnings a level of seriousness that textbook lessons sometimes lack.
The presentations made by the groups at the end of the day demonstrated a clear grasp of the topics covered.
Some groups created simple role-plays, while others prepared short speeches summarising why a drug-free life matters.
The variety of formats kept the final session lively and reinforced the learning objectives from multiple angles.
AADK Mukah representatives expressed satisfaction with the engagement level shown by both students and staff.
They noted that early prevention remains the most cost-effective strategy in the fight against drug abuse.
When young people are armed with accurate information and the confidence to say no, the likelihood of future substance misuse drops significantly.
School administrators said they would continue to integrate anti-drug themes into their co-curricular activities throughout the academic year.
The Anti-Drug Advocacy Programme at SK Batang Lassa forms part of a broader state and national push to safeguard the well-being of the younger generation.
Sarawak’s rural schools have increasingly become focal points for such preventive efforts, given the risks that can arise from isolation and limited recreational outlets.
While the event lasted only a day, its organisers believe the messages will resonate long after the students return to their daily routines.
All 36 pupils received informational leaflets to take home, encouraging them to discuss what they had learned with their families.
The involvement of parents and guardians is seen as a crucial next step in reinforcing the lessons beyond the school gate.
With the programme now concluded, both SK Batang Lassa and AADK Mukah will look to build on the foundation laid today through future engagements.
The hope is that these young participants will become ambassadors for healthy living among their peers and within the wider community.
