GEORGE TOWN - A total of 13,655 drug addicts and abusers were detected in Penang last year, with 95.2 per cent of them being male.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) accounted for the highest number of cases, with 8,070 individuals or 59.1 per cent of the total. Of these, youths aged between 15 and 39 made up 5,539 cases, representing 76.4 per cent of all ATS users.
"Efforts to empower the Penang Anti-Drug Squad Programme will continue to be strengthened as a youth volunteer platform, including through the use of the e-Squad digital platform to enhance the effectiveness of prevention and awareness initiatives in the community,” he said after chairing the State Anti-Drug Action Council (MTMD) meeting.
The meeting was also attended by National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh, along with representatives from various agencies and stakeholders.
Chow, who also chairs the state MTMD, said the implementation of the Drug-Free Workplace Programme (TEKAD) across all 29 state government departments reflects a strong commitment to fostering a drug-free work environment and producing civil servants who are ethical, healthy and productive.
He added that MTMD plays a key role in coordinating anti-drug policies, strategies and programmes at both state and district levels, with a focus on strengthening inter-agency collaboration to tackle emerging challenges.
Among the concerns highlighted were the rise in drug seizures, particularly methamphetamine (syabu), and increasingly sophisticated syndicate operations using digital platforms and cross-border networks.
The meeting also reviewed key policy and progress papers, including the Five-Year Focus on the Drug-Free Aspiration Village (KABD) and an impact report on the Anti-Drug Squad Movement aimed at empowering youth volunteerism in the state.
In addition, updates were presented on drug abuse trends by AADK and enforcement data on arrests and seizures by the Royal Malaysia Police.
"Overall, this meeting reaffirms the commitment of the state government and all relevant agencies to strengthen cooperation and take concrete action in addressing the drug problem holistically, in line with the Controlled Drugs 2030 target and the aspirations of Penang Vision 2030,” he said. - BERNAMA