Lake Gardens in KL, surrounded by luxuriant trees that offer cool shade, will be the venue of the Run of Champions (Photo: Perdana Botanical Garden)
Mid this year, the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 released its Adolescent Health Survey by Institute for Public Health and Ministry of Health and the findings are alarming. About 106,000 adolescents in Malaysia have experimented with drugs at some point in their lives, with 60,000 currently on narcotics.
The report also discloses that among Malaysian teenagers aged 13 to 17 who have ever used drugs, three in four initiated drug use before the age of 14. This underscores the urgent need for early intervention, educational programmes, and support networks to prevent the potentially devastating consequences associated with drug addiction among adolescents.
The Run of Champions, organised by The Art of Living Malaysia, takes place at an opportune time.
“The voluntary organisation has over 40 years of history with a presence in 180 countries. The founder is a global humanitarian leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. We promote love, peace and understanding regardless of differences in race, religion, nationality and gender.
"The drug problem has been around but the Covid-19 pandemic brought to light mental health issues as well. When people face challenges, they take the easy way out to temporarily find relief especially among the young. It is damaging in the long run and can lead to other crimes,” explains Thow Peak Wan, who is part of the organising committee together with Archana Marshall.
“In India, they had a big campaign amongst the youth in a university where Ravi Shankar was addressing them because drug abuse is a big problem there. He was able to inspire all the youth to stand up and say no to drugs. First, there has to be an awareness that the problem exists, and then you have to influence your peers. We are hoping for the same effect here,” says Thow.
This is how the idea for the 4km fun run was conceived. She mentions that this is the first run they are organising, and she hopes that attendees can use social media to spread the message while enjoying the run. “We will see how it goes, but we sure hope to build on this in the future.”
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“Datuk Sri Bernard Chandran has been so generous. He designed our logo and also t-shirt, which will be included in the goodie bag. In it, you will also find chocolates sponsored by the Valiram Group, Taco Bell vouchers and cute wristbands, among others,” beams Marshall.
“We are deeply grateful to our sponsors — Citibank, GPL Group of Companies, Liberty General Insurance, Ishiz Studio, Edelman Malaysia, Gallery Ari and Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur — that came in to support us without a moment’s hesitation or questions asked. Without their support, we would not be able to reach out to the public about various social problems,” she adds.
Champions of this cause include Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin “who had only encouraging words to say when told about the run and readily agreed to lend her support” and Tengku Fahd Mua’adzam Shah who will be participating together with his futsal team — Pahang Rangers FC.
Marshall says Tengku Norashikin will be addressing the participants on the day. “Her own approach was that we have to move with compassion and empathy for people with addiction and not be judgmental. We need to give our support, love and understanding.”
Also while you’re at it, get to know The Art of Living, one of the world’s largest volunteer-based organisation dedicated to creating a stress- and violence-free society. Their happiness programme is said to have helped many people reduce stress and relieve anxiety and depression just by focusing on breathing.
Run of Champions will take place on Dec 16, 6.30am at Lake Gardens Kuala Lumpur. Registration fee is at RM30. Sign up here.
