Peer pressure and stress fuel drug use among youth, says Yeoh
The Youth and Sports Minister was citing the findings of a behavioural study conducted in selected high risk areas by the Malaysian Institute for Youth Research (Iyres) between September 2024 and February this year.
'The findings revealed that among the factors leading respondents to use drugs and illegal substances were curiosity (30.1%), stress (20.9%) and peer influence (18.9%),' she said in a written reply to Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (PN-Maran).
While there may have been a slight decrease in the overall number of drug addicts, she noted the number of youths involved with drugs had increased.
'Based on statistics from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the number of drug and substance abuse cases among youths, aged between 15 and 30 years, had increased over the past two years.
'In 2023, a total of 46,401 youths were identified as being involved. This number rose 19.3% to 55,369 individuals in 2024,' she said.
Malay youth represented the largest group, accounting for 76% of the total in both years.
'The number increased from 35,280 individuals (2023) to 42,076 individuals (2024), marking a 19.3% increase,' she added.
Indian youth recorded an increase of 1,014 individuals (34.5%), up from 2,937 in 2023 to 3,951 in 2024.
'Chinese youth showed an increase of 446 individuals (19.3%), from 2,312 in 2023 to 2,758 in 2024,' added Yeoh.
Indigenous youth from Sabah and Sarawak recorded increases of 8.7% and 8.9%, respectively.
Yeoh said that several measures have been implemented to curb the rise in substance abuse, including the launch of the Drug Free Youth Campaign on April 21 together with relevant stakeholders, police, AADK and Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.
She also said the Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes had been urged to adopt improved guidelines to better protect youths against the dangers of substance abuse.
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