Latest news with #Pemadam
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Over 500 graduates among Q1 drug offenders, says AADK
BUTTERWORTH: A total of 559 individuals, or 0.5 per cent, of those arrested for drug abuse in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, held bachelor's, master's or doctoral (PhD) degrees, while 2,323 others, or 2.1 per cent, were diploma holders, according to data from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that these individuals were involved in abusing various substances, including synthetic drugs and traditional drugs, such as marijuana and heroin. Most of them were young adults, aged between 19 and 40. The data also showed that 503 drug addicts held the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), 41,743 were Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders, while 30,016 had attained secondary-level education, such as the Lower Secondary Assessment (PMR) or its equivalent. 'A total of 9,736 addicts had only primary school education, while 21,057 had no formal education. Youths aged 15 to 40 continued to make up the largest group of drug users nationwide, with 65,264 individuals, or 60.2 per cent, recorded between January and March 2025. 'These individuals are supposed to be the nation's future, but they are caught in the grip of drug addiction. This is very alarming, especially as we are also seeing involvement among schoolchildren. For the same period, 23 students aged 14 were found to be involved in drug abuse. He said this after attending the joint engagement session between AADK and the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), here, today. Also present was Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who is also the state Pemadam chairman. He said that AADK is now focusing on the prevention of drug addiction activities, because it not only damages the country's future generations, but also requires high expenses to treat it, and the agency spends RM51 per day for each PUSPEN trainee. Meanwhile, in another development, Shamsul Anuar, who is also the national PEMADAM president, said that AADK is conducting an internal investigation into the incident in which six male trainees from the PUSPEN in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, escaped from the centre early Tuesday morning. He said that AADK headquarters, together with its Negeri Sembilan branch, has launched an internal investigation to examine all aspects of the incident, including identifying its cause. 'I was informed that six trainees at PUSPEN Jempol escaped, and so far, five have been successfully recaptured, while one remains at large and efforts are ongoing to track him down,' he said. 'Once the investigation is complete, appropriate corrective actions will be taken, based on the findings,' he said.
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
AADK: 559 Drug Offenders In Q1 2025 Hold Degrees, Including PHDs
BUTTERWORTH, June 21 (Bernama) -- A total of 559 individuals, or 0.5 per cent, of those arrested for drug abuse in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, held bachelor's, master's or doctoral (PhD) degrees, while 2,323 others, or 2.1 per cent, were diploma holders, according to data from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that these individuals were involved in abusing various substances, including synthetic drugs and traditional drugs, such as marijuana and heroin. Most of them were young adults, aged between 19 and 40. The data also showed that 503 drug addicts held the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), 41,743 were Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders, while 30,016 had attained secondary-level education, such as the Lower Secondary Assessment (PMR) or its equivalent. 'A total of 9,736 addicts had only primary school education, while 21,057 had no formal education. Youths aged 15 to 40 continued to make up the largest group of drug users nationwide, with 65,264 individuals, or 60.2 per cent, recorded between January and March 2025. 'These individuals are supposed to be the nation's future, but they are caught in the grip of drug addiction. This is very alarming, especially as we are also seeing involvement among schoolchildren. For the same period, 23 students aged 14 were found to be involved in drug abuse. He said this after attending the joint engagement session between AADK and the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), here, today. Also present was Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who is also the state Pemadam chairman. He said that AADK is now focusing on the prevention of drug addiction activities, because it not only damages the country's future generations, but also requires high expenses to treat it, and the agency spends RM51 per day for each PUSPEN trainee. Meanwhile, in another development, Shamsul Anuar, who is also the national PEMADAM president, said that AADK is conducting an internal investigation into the incident in which six male trainees from the PUSPEN in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, escaped from the centre early Tuesday morning. He said that AADK headquarters, together with its Negeri Sembilan branch, has launched an internal investigation to examine all aspects of the incident, including identifying its cause.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
AADK: 559 drug offenders in Q1 2025 hold degrees, including PhDs
BUTTERWORTH: A total of 559 individuals, or 0.5 per cent, of those arrested for drug abuse in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, held bachelor's, master's or doctoral (PhD) degrees, while 2,323 others, or 2.1 per cent, were diploma holders, according to data from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said that these individuals were involved in abusing various substances, including synthetic drugs and traditional drugs, such as marijuana and heroin. Most of them were young adults, aged between 19 and 40. The data also showed that 503 drug addicts held the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), 41,743 were Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders, while 30,016 had attained secondary-level education, such as the Lower Secondary Assessment (PMR) or its equivalent. 'A total of 9,736 addicts had only primary school education, while 21,057 had no formal education. Youths aged 15 to 40 continued to make up the largest group of drug users nationwide, with 65,264 individuals, or 60.2 per cent, recorded between January and March 2025. 'These individuals are supposed to be the nation's future, but they are caught in the grip of drug addiction. This is very alarming, especially as we are also seeing involvement among schoolchildren. For the same period, 23 students aged 14 were found to be involved in drug abuse. He said this after attending the joint engagement session between AADK and the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), here, today. Also present was Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who is also the state Pemadam chairman. He said that AADK is now focusing on the prevention of drug addiction activities, because it not only damages the country's future generations, but also requires high expenses to treat it, and the agency spends RM51 per day for each PUSPEN trainee. Meanwhile, in another development, Shamsul Anuar, who is also the national PEMADAM president, said that AADK is conducting an internal investigation into the incident in which six male trainees from the PUSPEN in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, escaped from the centre early Tuesday morning. He said that AADK headquarters, together with its Negeri Sembilan branch, has launched an internal investigation to examine all aspects of the incident, including identifying its cause. 'I was informed that six trainees at PUSPEN Jempol escaped, and so far, five have been successfully recaptured, while one remains at large and efforts are ongoing to track him down,' he said. 'Once the investigation is complete, appropriate corrective actions will be taken, based on the findings,' he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Drug abuse down in Kelantan, but youth still most at risk
KOTA BHARU: Drug abuse in Kelantan fell by 5.4 percent in the first quarter of this year, but youth remain the most vulnerable group, continuing to account for the highest number of cases involving illegal substances. Kelantan National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) director Supindi Usop said 66 percent of all cases involved individuals aged between 15 and 39, making up the largest group in the state's statistics. He said this trend is worrying as it involves the younger generation, who should be the nation's future asset. Supindi said Kelantan recorded 11,280 drug abuse cases as of March, compared to 11,928 cases in the same period last year, placing the state fourth highest in Malaysia. 'A total of 5,787 individuals are undergoing rehabilitation at three centres across the state, with 97 percent of them involved in the abuse of methamphetamine pills (pil kuda),' he told Bernama at the Kelantan-level 2025 National Anti-Drug Day event today. Even more concerning, 114 teenagers under the age of 18 were found to be involved in drug abuse, with 94 currently undergoing voluntary treatment at the Pengkalan Chepa Rehabilitation Centre and 20 at the centre in Bachok, Supindi revealed. 'We've observed that more parents are becoming aware and are proactively sending their children for voluntary treatment. This is a positive step towards breaking the cycle of early addiction,' he said. On the factors contributing to the decline, Supindi explained that one key reason was the closure of illegal entry points along the Malaysia-Thailand border since last December, which has helped curb the inflow of drugs. Meanwhile, Kelantan Youth, Sports, NGOs and Community Unity Committee chairman Zamakhshari Muhamad, who also heads the state chapter of the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), said that despite the drop in numbers, the overall figures remain high and concerning. 'Prevention, enforcement and awareness education must be intensified. We cannot afford to be complacent just because the statistics show a decline,' he emphasised. He added that Pemadam will organise a six-month strategic workshop starting at the end of this month in Pasir Mas, in collaboration with various enforcement agencies and local communities.
The Star
22-05-2025
- The Star
Call to update Destitute Act
PETALING JAYA: As the cars wait in line for the lights to turn green, a group is on the move. Street beggars knocking on car windows have become a common sight in the Klang Valley. They are also to be found elsewhere – many park themselves along pavements, LRT stations and places where people gather. The old and outdated Destitute Persons Act 1977 (Act 183) does not have enough enforcement powers and authority to deal with the issue of beggars and the homeless, says lawyer Rajsurian Pillai. He said there needs to be either new laws or preferably, updates to the existing laws, as the current Act only provides for the protection, care and rehabilitation of those determined to be 'destitutes'. 'The term 'destitutes' is vaguely and broadly defined and the law is also based on colonial anti-vagrancy laws. Many who are caught often return to begging and remain homeless upon release. 'Perhaps, more penal punishments need to be introduced to give the Act more teeth i.e. fines, compounds, community service, imprisonment and other court-determined orders,' he said in response to the issue of the rising number of beggars in the city. Rajsurian added it was vital to take into account that begging has evolved over time, with some making it a 'career' and syndicates using children or trafficked persons. Malaysian Anti-Drug Association (Pemadam) human resource development bureau honourary secretary Rashdan Rashid also agreed that firm enforcement is needed under Act 183. He suggested that fines be imposed on people who give money to beggars. 'In Indonesia, there are several provinces (Surabaya, Jogjakarta and Bandung) where those who are begging are caught and those who give money are fined. This is what is needed to make the Act an effective law. 'When you can no longer give out money to beggars, it immediately hits the nail right on the issue,' he said. He also said Rela personnel could be used to help guard specific areas where vagrants are known to be present. Asked on how to handle the beggars from marring the image of the country, Rashdan suggested that they be placed at temporary shelters and given training to pick up new skills. Kechara Soup Kitchen Society marketing director Justin Cheah, who has been helping vagrants for years, says beggars are not necessarily homeless and homeless people are not beggars either. 'Beggars have now become a common sight in places where there are a lot of people coming and going. 'We need officers from the Welfare Department or local councils to get these people off the streets but we also need transit homes where they can be placed. 'Once they are in these shelters, we need to help them move on with jobs, families and skills. But there are no specific laws to address begging and homelessness,' he said, adding that amendments to Act 183 have been pending without any positive outcome. On Oct 17 last year, Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat that they have identified provisions under Act 183 that require a new, more practical and appropriate approach in addressing the issue of homelessness and begging. She added that the ministry had examined the findings of the study conducted on the Act. The result of the study, which was completed in June 2024, includes recommendations on the content, approach and scope of the Bill in handling the issue.
