Latest news with #Pemadam
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Govt urged to impose blanket ban on vape products
KUALA LUMPUR: A Form Two student collapsing on a school rooftop after inhaling a drug-laced vape is just one of many disturbing incidents fuelling renewed calls for the government to impose a total ban on electronic cigarettes. The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) said the growing exploitation of youth, rising public health risks and emerging links to illicit drugs and organised crime require urgent and decisive government action. Its secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said while an immediate ban may not be feasible due to stock and distribution challenges, the government must begin with a strict prohibition on advertising and promotions. He said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which is already in effect, provides a strong legal foundation to enforce restrictions on advertisements, promotions and online sales of vape products, including those containing controlled substances or illicit drugs. He noted that when vape advertisements are openly displayed, it gives the public the impression that these products are permissible. "In physical stores, we understand there may be delays in removing vape displays due to cost and logistical issues. But for electronic boards, shopfronts or highway billboards, all it takes is a directive to take them down and yet, they continue to run," he said at a press conference titled 'Drugs in Vape', held in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 and World No Tobacco Day, at the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) headquarters here on Thursday (June 26). Also present was Hashim Anang, Pemadam media and promotion bureau chairman as well as a member of the National Anti-Drug Council, a non-governmental coalition. Despite growing awareness of vape-related harm, Muhammad Sha'ani said many students continue to smuggle the devices into schools, often hiding them under motorcycle seats along with mobile phones. He cited the case of a Form Two student in Perlis who reportedly became intoxicated after using a so-called "mushroom vape", resulting in a dangerous incident that required police intervention. He added that allowing vape industry players to negotiate regulations would only benefit corporate interests while putting public health, particularly that of the younger generation, at continued risk. Even more alarming, he said, were recent findings by the police showing that some seized vape liquids contained not only nicotine but also illicit drugs. "Malaysia has already committed to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 2003, which outlines the eventual phasing out of the tobacco industry. We have declared 2040 as the tobacco endgame. "The same commitment must apply to vape. This is not an ordinary business, it is a growing threat to public health," he stressed. – Bernama
The Sun
21-06-2025
- 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
21-06-2025
- 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
21-06-2025
- 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
19-06-2025
- 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.
