31 To 51 Age Group Records Highest Number Of Drug Abuse Cases - AADK

KUALA BERANG, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- 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.

He said 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.

He said the statistics show that drug abuse still involves various age groups, including individuals up to 63 years old.

"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 here today.

Ruslin said that for the 60 years and above age group, the number of drug abuse cases decreased to 3,229 people or 2.5 per cent this year compared to 4,311 people or 3.2 per cent last year.

He said that the majority of drug abuse among the age groups of 31 to 59 years and 15 to 30 years involves synthetic drugs, particularly in the East Coast states.

Meanwhile, Ruslin said that AADK welcomes the cooperation of private companies in efforts to discuss measures to address the issue of drug abuse among employees through the Drug-Free Workplace Programme.

He said that AADK, together with enforcement agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), does not differentiate between professionals and non-professionals in actions related to drug abuse because any individual is at risk of being exposed to such problems.

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 said.

Meanwhile, Ruslin said the purchase and renovation project, worth RM3.46 million, of the Hulu Terengganu district AADK office is now fully completed, thus providing more complete facilities to strengthen operations and service delivery to the community.

He said that AADK purchased four shop units in 2022 before renovation work was carried out to convert them into the AADK district office in Hulu Terengganu.

"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 said.

He also said the office also functions as a Community Rehabilitation Centre, which allows 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.

-- BERNAMA