KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor government's proposal to introduce urine tests as part of the standard operating procedure (SOP) for concertgoers has been labeled impractical by Karyawan.
Karyawan President Datuk Freddie Fernandez described the measure aimed at curbing drug use as logistically challenging, requiring significant manpower and time, especially for large-scale events.
"Imagine a concert with 30,000 attendees, each having to queue for a urine test. It's time-consuming, manpower-intensive, and entirely impractical," he told Berita Harian.
Freddie added that while advanced technology could make the process more efficient, it is not currently available in Malaysia.
Earlier reports indicated that the Selangor Local Government and Tourism Committee Chairman, Datuk Ng Suee Lim, suggested the urine test proposal would be discussed in an upcoming State Executive Council (MMKN) meeting.
Freddie advocated for alternative solutions to address drug issues at concerts, such as integrating anti-drug awareness campaigns into events.
"For instance, the slogan 'Drug-Free Music' could be printed on tickets, displayed on billboards, and promoted through videos on big screens before and during concerts.
"These messages could be amplified with the involvement of agencies like the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK)," he explained.
Freddie noted that many drug-related incidents at concerts involve young, first-time users who are unaware of the risks.
"Teenagers often experiment with drugs at concerts, not understanding the dangers. Irresponsible parties might exploit this by introducing harmful new substances," he said.
Freddie also questioned the effectiveness of urine tests, arguing that drug use could still occur during the event.
"Detecting drugs being smuggled in is not straightforward. Drug dealers or drug mules often act efficiently.
"I understand that there is a 'stamp' type of drug (similar to lysergic acid diethylamide) in the form of a very small paper, which only needs to come into contact with sweat to produce high levels of stimulation and euphoria," he said.