Yes to life; No to drugs

Had a fun-filled Saturday morning and afternoon at Macpherson T-Net Club. Responded to a SOS call by my cohort-mates to help out as game umpire. Today's event was aimed at spreading the word on the harmful consequences of drug abuse. Street soccer teams made up of kids and teenagers from all over Singapore came down to take part in a two-day street soccer tournament. At the same time, T-Net Club, National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA), and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) set up exhibitions and game booths in a bid to educate the youths about the different types of drugs and drug abuse.

Small cards were issued to the youths. After they played in one anti-drug abuse game, they will receive a stamp on their cards. There were a total of five games and after collecting all the stamps, they can use the card to exchange for a goodie bag.

Many of the youths took a lot of the cards so that they can exchange those cards for a lot of goodie bags. My fellow volunteers and I could not help feeling that we are inculcating the wrong values in the youths. That we are somehow encouraging them to be greedy and kiasu. These youths will grow up to be the next generation of uncles and aunties who will be fighting for all the goodie bags during events. I guess our vision of making Singapore into a gracious society has to be put on hold for another generation.