Drug addiction among students in Kelantan at critical stage

Drug addiction among students in Kelantan is at a critical stage and needed to be immediately addressed with cooperation from all quarters, National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) director-general Datuk Abd Halim Mohd Hussin disclosed.

In fact, he said 280 students from 31 secondary schools in the state were tested positive for drugs, mostly methamphetamine, during the screening and urine tests carried out on 3,797 students between January and Aug 13.

"Pasir Mas recorded the highest number with 70 students, followed by Pasir Puteh (44), Kota Bharu (43) and other districts," he told reporters after launching the Community Empowerment programme here Monday.

Abd Halim said the location of states such as Kedah, Kelantan, Perak and Sarawak that were near to the border also contributed to the increase in drug addiction cases.

"These four states were hotspots for the supply of drugs from the neighbouring country and their locations are also quite close to the golden triangle, the largest drug-manufacturing area in Southeast Asia," he added.

-- BERNAMA