UPM Serdang, 28 December – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Anti-Drug Forum 2023 (FOUDA 2023) themed "Life Full of Meaning" officiated by Dr. Mazila Ghazali as Head of the UPM Division received an encouraging response from the forum participants. Completing the program speech to participants such as students need to be active in beneficial activities and focus on academics to avoid drug abuse. With that, the organization of the program shows the continued seriousness of UPM in general and UPM's Counseling Division in particular in planning and implementing programs related to drug prevention. In addition to that, the country suffers a lot of energy and economic loss due to drug abuse, so this program can help to some extent in spreading awareness to UPM citizens.

This FOUDA 2023 is organized by the UPM Counseling Division together with the UPM PEMADAM Club, the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) of the State of Selangor and the National Anti-Drug Avensis (AADK) of the State of Melaka which will be held on 20 December 2023 from 8.15pm until 10.15pm live online The Zoom application and the official social media site of the UPM Counseling Division. One of the main contributing factors to drug abuse is related to peers. Therefore, if the activities of friends and others can be changed to activities that have a more positive impact on oneself and society. So the country in general will benefit directly from the involvement of students from the activities that have been carried out.

Photo: Mr. Afiq (left) and Mr. Akmal (right) sharing information online about FOUDA 2023

A total of 1389 participants participated in the UPM Anti-Drug Forum 2023 and three (3) panelists consisting of members from the field as well as student representatives were invited to discuss the most relevant approach in overcoming issues related to drug abuse among university students. The panel consisted of Mr. Mohd Akmal representing the Melaka State AADK, Mr. Afiq Latif from the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) Selangor State and for the student representative Sister Arynn Suzieani, President of the UPM PEMADAM Club. All three panels have agreed that in dealing with the issue of drug abuse, students should be given the opportunity and space to engage in various beneficial activities on campus. Among those fields are the fields of leadership, volunteering, sports, culture, and so on. At the end of the forum, the participants showed solidarity in expressing their determination to avoid drug abuse. The organizers have received encouraging feedback through the evaluation of the program opened by the participants. Therefore, in the future the organizers will organize this program on a larger scale by collaborating with more parties.

Photo: FOUDA 2023 poster

Photo: Among the memorable photos during FOUDA 2023 implementation

Date of Input: 28/12/2023 | Updated: 28/12/2023 | ayna