Drug Abuse Among Under-15s A Growing Concern, Says Saifuddin Nasution
Source: Penang Today
Drug abuse among children under the age of 15 is a growing concern that needs wider preventive efforts, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. The trend calls for an approach that puts early education and the role of parents at the centre of the response, according to Malay Mail.
Based on the profiles of those involved in drug abuse, those aged between 15 and 39 formed the largest group, Saifuddin Nasution said.
“The National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) has three main functions, namely education and prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation, to address the issue of drug abuse,” he said. “Efforts to educate the public must be strengthened to raise awareness and encourage preventive action among families.”
He spoke at a media conference after the Home Ministry’s Madani Adopted Village and Madani Adopted School 2026 launching ceremony in Machang, Kelantan. Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu recorded drug-related case rates above the national threshold, measured per 100,000 residents, FMT reported.
Pendang in Kedah recorded the highest rate in the country, followed by Kuala Krai in Kelantan. Tumpat, Tanah Merah and Bachok in Kelantan, and Besut in Terengganu, all recorded rates above 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents. Saifuddin Nasution said his ministry, the AADK, the police and state governments had to work together to step up awareness and prevention programmes in those districts.
Turning to the seizure of 521kg of methamphetamine from a private jet in Laos, the minister said the drugs were found aboard the aircraft before it was due to depart for Manila. The jet had left Subang for Laos without drugs on board, and the consignment was loaded on the aircraft while it was in that country.
“Laotian authorities detected the drugs when the aircraft was about to continue its flight to Manila,” he said. Police have traced the owner of the jet, as well as its pilot and co-pilot, to help the investigation. The inquiry is also looking at the party that chartered the aircraft, the purpose of the charter and its intended destination. The owner’s identity has been established, but further details cannot be disclosed yet.
Laotian police seized 521kg of crystal methamphetamine from the private jet after it arrived from Malaysia at Luang Prabang International Airport, and 13 people were arrested over the case. Vientiane Times, quoting the Lao Security Newspaper, reported that the security operation was carried out on 1 October after provincial police received information on 21 September about a syndicate planning to move narcotics across the border by air.
Saifuddin Nasution also said immigration depots nationwide were under capacity pressure from daily enforcement operations against undocumented migrants. The depots hold about 20,000 people in total, and a steady intake of detainees has led to overcrowding.
