Half new addicts are below 25

Kota Kinabalu: There seems to be no end to wasted youth in the State after it was revealed that 80.8 per cent of the 479 drug addicts detected between January and May this year were those under 39 years of age and almost half were below 25."This is a very worrying trend which is why the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) conducts numerous programmes to create awareness among youths especially on the danger of drugs and its effects on society," said State Director Bakri Bibi.

Of the 479 drug addicts, 93 per cent were males while only 32 were females.

Currently, the agency also conducts random urine checks in schools, with the cooperation of the Education Department, to ensure that students are free from the influence of drugs.

He added that the agency had identified 35 hotspots for drugs in Sabah with high cases in areas such as Sepanggar and Sembulan.

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"We conduct several drug prevention programmes in these areas. In terms of investment, it depends on various aspects, namely the risks, the current situation in the area and the conditions there. The higher the risk, the more programmes will be conducted," he said.

Bakri said this after the closing of the inaugural Drug and Youth Programme by Community Development and Consumer Affairs Assistant Minister Datuk Anita Baranting, representing minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad at Wisma Wanita here, Monday.

A total of 10 schools in and around Kota Kinabalu were selected to participate in the programme where students were given three motivational and educational talks on the danger of drugs, increase students' assertiveness as well as to provide the latest information on drug issues.

"It is hoped that the programme will be extended to other schools in other districts with the cooperation of the State Education Department," he said.

Meanwhile, in her speech delivered by Anita, Jainab said it is undeniable that the problem of drug abuse is increasing and does not spare women, youths or even school students.

"Therefore, this problem must be handled with the cooperation of all parties because we are well aware that drug abuse will certainly mean increased crime rates.

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"We must accept the reality that our fight against drugs is far from over and our vision towards a drug-free Malaysia is still far away. Drug problem is not something that we can overcome overnight and we must fight it if we are sincere in producing our next generations that are free from any negative culture," she said.

Praising AADK for organising the programme, Jainab said it is her hope that the programme is able to achieve its objectives and the participants will stay away from social elements that could destroy their future.

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