Rampant drug abuse among students alarming, says Lee

The revelation by the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) on high drug abuse among secondary school students is alarming, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation ( MCPF) senior vice-chairman said the Education Ministry should reevaluate drug prevention programmes in schools with the cooperation of AADK, MCPF and other NGOs.

“I believe the minister can push for a relevant policy and declare an all-out war on drug abuse so that all schools are free of drugs.

“I am very consistent in urging the authorities to restudy efforts and strategies in dealing with the drug menace, which is still the nation’s number one enemy since the 1980s,” he said in a statement.

Lee was commenting on AADK director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah’s statement that 1,709 secondary school students tested positive for drugs following tests conducted at 178 high-risk areas.

The authorities and schools should focus more on curbing abuse of synthetic drugs, he added.

“The number of synthetic drugs in the country has increased and the syndicates have also become more creative in catering to their customers, including students.

“Tackling this problem requires all segment of society as well as authorities to work together,” he said.