Drug abuse cases among youths rise 19.3pct in two years
Based on statistics from the National Anti-Drugs Agency, he said a total of 46,401 youths aged between 15 and 30 were involved in drug and substance abuse in 2023.
"This number increased to 55,369 in 2024, representing a 19.3 per cent rise, or an increase of 8,968 individuals," he said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.
Saifuddin was responding to Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN–Maran), who inquired about the percentage of youths involved in drug abuse from 2023 to 2024.
However, despite the increase in numbers, Saifuddin said the percentage of youths among the total number of drug addicts showed a slight decrease — from 31.9 per cent in 2023 to 28.7 per cent in 2024.
He noted that Malay youths continued to make up the majority, accounting for 76 per cent of the total in both years.
"Their numbers rose from 35,280 in 2023 to 42,076 in 2024."
Meanwhile, Indian youths recorded 2,937 cases in 2023 and 3,951 last year, an increase of 34.5 per cent.
Chinese youths accounted for 2,312 in 2023 and 2,758 last year, an increase of 19.3 per cent.
The number of indigenous youths from Sabah and Sarawak involved in drug abuse also rose by 8.7 per cent and 8.9 per cent, respectively.
The "Others" category recorded the highest relative increase at 40.3 per cent, though actual numbers remained lower — from 623 in 2023 to 874 last year.
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