THE nation requires stronger and more consistent political commitment to combat drug abuse as the growing crisis threatens national security and risks destroying the future of younger generations, community safety advocate Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said efforts to curb drug-related problems must be elevated into a national agenda through sustained government commitment and the involvement of all segments of society.
He said recent revelations by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) that secondary school leavers, including SPM certificate holders, formed the largest group involved in drug and substance abuse reflected a serious national challenge.
“The revelation by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) that secondary school leavers, including those with Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualifications, represent the largest group involved in drug and substance abuse shows that the country is facing a major challenge, as those who should be pursuing further education or building their careers have instead become the group most affected by drug abuse,” he said.
Lee said despite various measures introduced to address drug abuse, the problem had not shown signs of decline and had instead continued to increase, becoming a significant threat to the country.
“What is most important is that the country needs truly strong political commitment to address this issue. Without more organised, innovative action and commitment from all parties, the threat of drugs will become increasingly critical, affecting national security and destroying the young generation who will inherit the future of the country,” he said.
He said drug abuse was driven by multiple factors, including individual choices, peer influence, family problems, lack of awareness and insufficient understanding of the dangers associated with drugs.
For young people, particularly school leavers, he said curiosity and the desire to experiment with new experiences were among the main factors that could expose them to substance abuse.
“Besides that, lack of affection, weak parental or guardian supervision, unhealthy environments and weak religious or moral foundations have also been identified as contributing factors to the increase in drug abuse among youths,” he said.
Lee said inadequate education on the dangers of drugs, easy access to illegal substances, excessive entertainment culture and financial pressures also contributed to some young people turning to drugs as a coping mechanism.
“The situation eventually not only damages their future but can also drive them to commit various crimes to obtain money to buy drugs,” he said.
He said drug abuse had been identified as one of the major contributors to crimes including robbery, snatch theft, burglary and violent offences, with many offenders found to be under the influence of drugs while committing crimes.
At the national level, Lee said drug abuse imposed significant economic and social costs, including loss of workforce productivity, increased enforcement expenses, rehabilitation costs and other crime-related expenditures.
He called for greater emphasis on prevention strategies, describing prevention as a long-term approach capable of protecting individuals from becoming involved in drug abuse.
“Prevention efforts must begin by building character, self-confidence and awareness of the dangers of drugs so that individuals have a strong foundation to reject negative influences,” he said.
Lee said the government should review the effectiveness of existing measures and strengthen a “whole-of-nation approach” involving AADK, relevant ministries, parents, teachers, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups and local communities.
Recent AADK data showed that secondary school leavers, including those with SPM qualifications, represented the largest group involved in drug and substance abuse, accounting for 68,619 individuals or 68.1 per cent of recorded cases nationwide. - July 8, 2026
