DATA from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) revealed that 559 individuals or 0.5 percent of those arrested for drug abuse in the first quarter of this year had a bachelor's degree, master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that 2,323 people had diplomas, all of whom were aged between 19 and 40 years old, and were involved in the abuse of synthetic or conventional drugs such as heroin or marijuana.
"The data also shows that 503 people involved in drug abuse had graduated with a Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM), 41,743 with a Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) while 30,016 people had secondary education.
"A total of 9,736 people had primary school education while another 21,057 had no formal education," he told reporters after the Joint Management Programme between AADK and the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) in Butterworth.
Also present was Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who is also the state PEMADAM Chairman.
Shamsul Anuar, who is also the President of the National PEMADAM, said that youths aged 15 to 40 remain the largest group of drug addicts nationwide with 65,264 people or 60.2 percent for the period January to March 2025.
"These are the hope of the country but they are involved in drug addiction and it is very worrying because the number is large. We also pay attention to school students because for the same period, 23 14-year-old teenagers were recorded to be involved in drugs,” he said.
Shamsul Anuar said drug abuse not only damages future generations but also requires high expenses for treatment. - June 21, 2025
