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New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Drug abuse at alarming levels, poses threat to nation
PUTRAJAYA: Drug abuse in Malaysia has reached a critical level and now poses a serious threat to public safety, economic stability and the country's social structure, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid. Citing the latest data, he said there are 192,857 drug users and addicts in the country, with 61 per cent of them aged between 15 and 39 as of 2024. "Of this number, 96 per cent are male, driven largely by peer influence and curiosity," he said in a statement after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Eradicating Drug Abuse today. Ahmad Zahid said Kelantan recorded the highest rate of drug abuse with 1,130 users per 100,000 population, followed by Terengganu (974), Perlis (965), and Kedah (898). To address the growing problem and increasingly complex challenges, he said the committee today approved the Anti-Drug Communication Plan 2025–2027, which adopts a comprehensive and targeted approach. He said the plan focuses on promoting behavioural change, increasing awareness, and delivering accurate information through coordinated efforts across multiple agencies — towards a national anti-drug movement. To enhance treatment and rehabilitation efforts, the Drug Assessment Centre (DAC) under the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) has adopted a Single Point Entry approach to expedite screening and intervention for detainees without waiting for pathology results. "As of April 5, a total of 261 detainees had undergone evaluation at the DAC in Kuala Muda, Kedah," he said. He also highlighted new concerns involving mushroom-flavoured vape products found to contain psychoactive substances such as psilocybin and psilocin, based on findings by the National Poison Centre. "These substances pose a serious risk to children and youth and require immediate and more aggressive enforcement action," he said. Ahmad Zahid also announced that the Home Ministry will utilise the Crime Data Network Analysis system to better track drug-related crime patterns and help develop more focused and effective strategies. He said that the government remains firm in implementing the National Drug Policy, which covers prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement. "The fight against drugs is a shared responsibility that requires active involvement from all levels of society — including the public and civil society groups.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Drug abuse at alarming levels, poses threat to nation
PUTRAJAYA: Drug abuse in Malaysia has reached a critical level and now poses a serious threat to public safety, economic stability and the country's social structure, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid Citing the latest data, he said there are 192,857 drug users and addicts in the country, with 61 per cent of them aged between 15 and 39 as of 2024. 'Of this number, 96 per cent are male, driven largely by peer influence and curiosity,' he said in a statement after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Eradicating Drug Abuse today. Ahmad Zahid said Kelantan recorded the highest rate of drug abuse with 1,130 users per 100,000 population, followed by Terengganu (974), Perlis (965), and Kedah (898). To address the growing problem and increasingly complex challenges, he said the committee today approved the Anti-Drug Communication Plan 2025–2027, which adopts a comprehensive and targeted approach. He said the plan focuses on promoting behavioural change, increasing awareness, and delivering accurate information through coordinated efforts across multiple agencies — towards a national anti-drug movement. To enhance treatment and rehabilitation efforts, the Drug Assessment Centre (DAC) under the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) has adopted a Single Point Entry approach to expedite screening and intervention for detainees without waiting for pathology results. 'As of April 5, a total of 261 detainees had undergone evaluation at the DAC in Kuala Muda, Kedah,' he said. He also highlighted new concerns involving mushroom-flavoured vape products found to contain psychoactive substances such as psilocybin and psilocin, based on findings by the National Poison Centre. 'These substances pose a serious risk to children and youth and require immediate and more aggressive enforcement action,' he said. Ahmad Zahid also announced that the Home Ministry will utilise the Crime Data Network Analysis system to better track drug-related crime patterns and help develop more focused and effective strategies. He stressed that the government remains firm in implementing the National Drug Policy, which covers prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and enforcement. 'The fight against drugs is a shared responsibility that requires active involvement from all levels of society — including the public and civil society groups. 'To protect future generations from the threat of drugs, we will remain steadfast and uncompromising in this fight against the nation's number one enemy,' he added.
New Straits Times
25-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Elderly man among 18 drug addicts nabbed in 'hotspot' raid
KAJANG: An elderly man was among 18 drug addicts detained while under the influence at a known drug 'hotspot' raided during Op Sarang in the district two days ago. Also arrested were two individuals suspected of being drug dealers involved in the sale and distribution of narcotics at the location. In a Facebook post, Selangor police said the operation was carried out by the Selangor Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) as part of efforts to eliminate areas used for drug trafficking and abuse. "A total of 18 men were arrested for various drug-related offences, comprising 17 locals and one foreigner, all aged between 31 and 62. "JSJN Selangor also seized approximately 2.91g of heroin, with an estimated value of RM72.80," the statement read. It added that urine tests revealed all the individuals tested positive for drug use, and they have been detained under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Additionally, five of the individuals were on the police wanted list.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Beckley's homeless shelter on the verge of closing its doors; community makes their voices heard
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – During one of the coldest parts of the year, Pine Haven Homeless Shelter is close to being shut down. With funding cuts expected, residents say more people need the services of Raleigh County Emergency Housing Center This comes after the news of its budget getting slashed by more than 50 percent. Pine Haven is one of the only homeless shelters in the local area. There were several people who showed up at the Beckley City Council meeting to make their voices heard. Reverend Gabriel Covington is a community activist who showed up to support the shelter. 'While we got 30 or 20 vape shops being built on every corner here in Beckley, we should be investing in our community and not those things. Our community is [the main priority],' said Covington. One argument that some use against the homeless shelter is that it could bring in what they say are 'unsavory individuals' as well as drug addicts. Reverend Covington said these concerns simply are not valid. 'Last year it was a majority of Raleigh County residents that stayed there,' said Covington. 'It is not bringing more drug addicts or bringing more people in recovery. It is not doing that. It is helping people in our community.' Reverend Covington, like many of the others who spoke at this meeting, has personal experience with homelessness or homeless shelters. He told 59News not only was he homeless for a brief period of time, but so was his spouse and his mother. 'These are people. I am also a recovering addict. People do recover. People do get better and people just need a leg up. Resources [are] the biggest lack that we have in Beckley especially,' said Covington. Beckley's homeless shelter sees budget slashed by 75 percent 59News received word that the Beckley Raleigh County Commission is doing what they can to help this homeless shelter survive the cold months and make it to June. What lies beyond that remains unknown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
