‘Victims may become a threat to others’

ALOR STAR: Kedah National AntiDrug Agency (Nada) icon Dr Zaki Zaman Abd Rashid said the number of cases involving children being exploited by their drug addict parents was on the rise.

“Imagine the future of children who have been exposed to or are using drugs as a result of having drug addict parents.

“What will they be when they grow up?

“We worry that they will become a threat to the community,” he told the New Straits Times.

He was commenting on the state Welfare Department’s revelation that some parents were using their children to gain public sympathy to get money for drugs.

Dr Zaki, who is also Kedah Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association chairman, said people should not give in to drug addicts out to gain sympathy.

“I know Malaysians are generous, but they should not help parents who use their children to get money to feed their drug habit.

“Please contact the authorities if you come across parents who neglect their children or expose them to drugs.

“Those who have information about children who do not go to school or have been exposed to drugs should report the matter to the authorities.”

He said such children should be rescued before it was too late.

“Children of drug addict parents are also at risk of developing mental illness.”