Labuan: School leavers with secondary-level education, particularly those who have completed Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), represent a significant portion of individuals ensnared in drug and substance abuse, with a recorded 68,619 individuals, or 68.1 percent, nationwide, according to National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh. The latest data from the first quarter of this year indicates that adolescence and schooling phases remain critical periods for preventing young people from falling into drug abuse.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ruslin highlighted that young people, particularly those within the productive and working age group of 15 to 39 years, constitute 81.4 percent, or 48,042 individuals, of those trapped in drug abuse. This age group is considered a vital period when individuals should contribute to their families and the nation rather than being destroyed by drugs. These comments were made during the launch of the Jelajah Aspirasi Bebas Dadah and Kampung Aspirasi Bebas Dadah programme at Kampung Belukut.
The country has recorded 100,882 drug addicts and substance abusers as of March this year, equating to 295 individuals for every 100,000 population. The situation is further exacerbated by the prevalent abuse of synthetic drugs, such as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), which account for 73 percent of the most commonly abused drugs. Of the drug addicts, 70.7 percent are currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, either in institutions or within the community.
Employment data reveals the private sector has the highest involvement, with 31,371 individuals, or 31.1 percent, followed by the self-employed category at 30,115 individuals, or 29.9 percent. Ruslin emphasized the critical role parents must play as the first line of defense, particularly during their children's teenage and school-leaving years.
Ruslin noted that NADA's approach this year prioritizes taking anti-drug advocacy directly to communities through the Jelajah Aspirasi Bebas Dadah programme, rather than relying solely on agency-based activities. Labuan, as a duty-free island and maritime hub with open sea borders, demands a community-based and strategic border-control approach due to its unique risk profile.
Ruslin explained that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective in drug prevention and rehabilitation. Different regions require tailored interventions, such as urban intervention in Kuala Lumpur, family institution-focused advocacy in Putrajaya, and a strong community and island border approach in Labuan. Kampung Belukut was selected as a Kampung Aspirasi Bebas Dadah location under NADA Wilayah Persekutuan due to its strong leadership and active community participation.
Efforts to combat drugs necessitate a whole-of-community and whole-of-government approach, involving government agencies, NGOs, volunteers, local leaders, the private sector, and the media. Ruslin stressed that no single agency can tackle this challenge alone; a unified effort strengthens the nation's social defense against negative elements.