Ajil: The age group of 31 to 59 years recorded the highest number in the drug abuse statistics in the country, with 92,590 people or 71.1 per cent, during the period from January to June this year, said National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the group aged 15 to 30 recorded 34,471 people or 26.5 per cent during the same period, while the group aged 60 and above recorded 3,229 people or 2.5 per cent. Ruslin highlighted that drug abuse continues to affect various age groups, including individuals as old as 63 years.
"The AADK records also show that there are individuals aged up to 63 years involved in drug abuse. For the age group of 15 to 30 years, a total of 34,471 people or 26.5 per cent were recorded up to June this year compared to 37,494 people or 27.8 per cent last year. The group under 14 years old recorded 17 individuals this year compared to 14 last year," he said after the handover ceremony of the Hulu Terengganu AADK Office Renovation Project in Ajil.
Ruslin noted a decrease in the number of drug abuse cases among the 60 years and above age group, with 3,229 people or 2.5 per cent this year compared to 4,311 people or 3.2 per cent last year. He also mentioned that synthetic drugs are predominantly involved in drug abuse cases among the 31 to 59 years and 15 to 30 years age groups, particularly in the East Coast states.
Meanwhile, Ruslin expressed AADK's openness to collaborating with private companies to tackle drug abuse among employees through the Drug-Free Workplace Programme. He emphasized that AADK and enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), do not discriminate between professionals and non-professionals when addressing drug abuse issues, as anyone can be at risk.
Among the proposals to be discussed is the implementation of periodic or random urine tests as a screening measure. "Many private companies have already implemented this programme, while some are still in the process of collaborating with the AADK," he stated.
The director-general also shared that the purchase and renovation project, worth RM3.46 million, of the Hulu Terengganu district AADK office is now fully completed, providing enhanced facilities to boost operations and service delivery to the community. AADK acquired four shop units in 2022, which were then converted into the district office.
"Among the facilities provided are male and female lock-ups, examination rooms, briefing rooms, consultation rooms and urine screening rooms. Previously, the Hulu Terengganu district did not have separate lock-up facilities for men and women. If there are arrests involving women, they need to be sent to another location," he explained.
The office also functions as a Community Rehabilitation Centre, allowing clients under court orders to undergo rehabilitation programmes periodically. "With the establishment of this office, it completes the overall AADK operations in the Hulu Terengganu district, thereby enabling services to the community to be carried out more effectively," he added.