Kuala lumpur: In a video clip that went viral in May, two young men were shown vaping and behaving unusually during a live broadcast on a social media platform. One of them appeared dazed, while the other seemed unresponsive.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the clip garnered hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of comments, with many commenters saying the two were probably using 'piu-piu' or 'piao-piao', the street name of a dangerous synthetic drug. It has been reported that piu-piu is allegedly being mixed into vape liquids.
In a recent post on its Facebook page, Selangor Police said the use of piu-piu among young people in the country is becoming increasingly worrying. Police said vape products containing piu-piu are extremely dangerous as the hallucinatory effects can occur rapidly - just after a few puffs - leading to quick addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms.
They also warned that piu-piu could cause seizures, heart problems, and respiratory complications. However, the most alarming aspect is that the drug is easy to conceal and is sold cheaply through social media platforms. Experts believe tackling piu-piu presents a greater challenge because the drug is consumed through vaping, which has become a trend.
The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) has acknowledged piu-piu as a new concern in Malaysia's drug abuse landscape. The agency said piu-piu is not a conventional drug derived from plants such as cannabis or kratom (or ketum). Instead, it is a synthetic substance produced from a mixture of chemicals, which is then mixed into vape liquids.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has been reported as saying that the drug also contains fentanyl, which could produce extreme hallucination effects, causing users to appear to be in a 'zombie-like' state. He said drug trafficking syndicates are increasingly misusing vape devices as a tactic to evade detection by the authorities.
Commenting on the issue, Associate Prof Dr Khairunesa Isa from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia said the misuse of synthetic drugs through vape devices requires serious attention and should no longer be regarded as isolated cases, particularly when young people are involved. She emphasized the role of peer influence in adolescent development and the importance of considering the entire ecosystem surrounding young people's lives.
On the role of social media, Khairunesa noted that digital platforms now have a significant influence on shaping young people's perceptions and behaviors, including in relation to drug abuse. She highlighted social media as a double-edged sword that can spread information and raise awareness, but also potentially normalize risky behaviors.
Khairunesa added that the changing patterns of drug abuse, particularly among adolescents and young adults, have also been influenced by the vaping trend. Synthetic drugs are more difficult to detect than conventional drugs, and their methods of distribution continue to evolve. The latest AADK statistics show that synthetic drugs now account for 73 percent of drug abuse cases in Malaysia, with youths aged between 15 and 39 making up about 84 percent of users involved in such substance abuse.
Concurring with Khairunesa, Malaysian Association of Drug Abuse Counsellors deputy president Dr Engku Mardiah Engku Kamarudin said the modern and trendy image associated with vape products has contributed to greater interest among young people to try them. She stressed the need for efforts to curb drug abuse to be strengthened through stricter controls on vape misuse and improved health literacy.
Engku Mardiah warned that the use of drugs mixed into vape liquids could lead to various serious effects on users' physical and mental health. The substances can impair brain function, affecting an individual's ability to control their behavior and make rational decisions. She emphasized the importance of government roles in policy-making, law enforcement, and monitoring to reduce access to vape products.
Commenting on calls to ban vape products, Engku Mardiah said that a ban alone would not be sufficient as it could only reduce supply without addressing the factors driving demand for such products. She highlighted the importance of a comprehensive public health approach, including stronger education and prevention efforts, increased awareness among parents and teachers, and accessible rehabilitation support.
Engku Mardiah added that drug abuse prevention strategies among adolescents must focus on reducing risk factors while strengthening protective factors in adolescents' lives. She also pointed to the importance of prevention as the most effective intervention in the field of substance abuse.