Latest news with #Puspen
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Some starting in primary school': Hannah Yeoh says synthetic drug addiction now a Cabinet concern
KOTA BARU, July 3 — The issue of addiction to Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) is a subject of focus and discussion at the Cabinet level, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. She stated that the government is collaborating closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to curb the online sale of the drug. 'The current trend shows that primary school pupils are starting to get involved with ATS. Some of them gain access to it through online sales, including via WhatsApp and other digital platforms. 'I urge parents to monitor their children's smartphone use. We can't allow them to use handphones without supervision,' she told Bernama after a working visit to the Kota Baru Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen), here today. She said the ministry will continue to help young people involved in drug abuse to get voluntary treatment at Puspen, urging parents to immediately contact Puspen if they notice behavioural changes in their children. Hannah said that according to the 2024 National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) statistics, 117,000 individuals aged between 15 and 39 were found to be involved in drug and substance abuse, with Kelantan recording the highest rate of addiction. 'I had the chance to speak with several clients here (Puspen Kota Baru). Most of them are still young, some as young as 17, 21 and started using drugs when they were in primary school. 'This trend is alarming, but I am impressed to hear first-hand that the treatment at Puspen has helped clients to recover and rebuild their lives,' she said. Hannah, who also met with the clients' parents, urged the public to be more open in seeking early intervention before addiction becomes more severe. She noted that the drug rehabilitation success rate at Puspen has now reached 79 per cent, but stressed that the real challenge is to ensure they do not return to the old networks associated with substance abuse. 'It is crucial that they do not reconnect with their old circles. Even after using drugs for over 10 years, with awareness and support, full recovery is possible,' she said, adding that young people who need help can voluntarily enter rehab centres. She said the ministry is also working closely with AADK to create awareness through various platforms, including video screenings at major cinemas such as TGV. 'We want young people to know they don't have to go through this alone. Help is available, and support is there,' she added. — Bernama
The Star
19-06-2025
- The Star
Cops nab three of six escapees from Jelebu rehab centre
SEREMBAN: Police have arrested three of the six trainees who escaped from the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Jelebu two days ago. Jelebu OCPD Supt Azizan Said said the three men, two aged 36 years old and a 42-year-old, were apprehended along Jalan Kongkoi at around noon Thursday (June 19). "So far, four of the escapees have been caught. We are still tracking down the remaining two, identified as V. Manimaran, 38, whose last known address is in Taman Seri Bernam, Selangor, and K. Mohanarajh, 25, from Taman Bertuah, Perak," he said in a statement Thursday. On Wednesday (June 18), another 35-year-old escapee was arrested within 24 hours of the incident near the Rotan Titi Cane factory in Kongkoi, about 5km from the centre. Police received a report about the escape at around 1am and immediately launched an operation with the assistance of sniffer dogs and personnel from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) Jelebu. The case is being investigated under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops hunt for 5 who escaped from rehab centre in Jelebu
The five at large were among six trainees who escaped from the narcotics addiction rehabilitation centre in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, yesterday morning. PETALING JAYA : Police are searching for five of six trainees who escaped from the narcotics addiction rehabilitation (Puspen) centre in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, yesterday morning. Jelebu police chief Azizan Said said a report on the escapees, aged between 25 and 42, was lodged at 1am. He said one of them, a 35-year-old man, was recaptured within 24 hours near a factory at Kongkoi, Jelebu, some 5km from the centre. 'Police have launched an operation to track down the remaining escapees, with the assistance of the K9 unit from the Negeri Sembilan police headquarters and officers from the Jelebu branch of the National Anti-Drugs Agency,' Bernama reported him as saying. Azizan said the trainees still at large were P Tinogaran, 36, whose last known address is Apartment Taman Sentosa in Perak; G Vinaiyetiran, 36, from Taman Munsyi Ibrahim in Johor; V Manimaran, 38, from Taman Seri Bernam in Selangor; S Bala Ganes, 42, from Bandar Baru Sultan Suleiman, Selangor; and K Mohanarajh, 25, from Taman Bertuah in Perak. He urged members of the public with information to contact the nearest police station or the Jelebu police headquarters at 06-613 6222 or 06-613 7999. The case is being investigated under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code for escape from confinement and resistance to lawful apprehension.
New Straits Times
18-06-2025
- New Straits Times
One Puspen escapee caught, five still missing
JELEBU: One of the six inmates who escaped from the Narcotics Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Jelebu yesterday has been rearrested, police confirmed. Jelebu district police chief Superintendent Azizan Said said the inmate was caught near a factory, about five kilometres from the facility. Efforts to locate the remaining five escapees are ongoing. Azizan said police received a report regarding the incident about 1pm yesterday and immediately launched an operation to track down the individuals. "The search operation is being supported by the K9 unit from the Negri Sembilan police contingent headquarters and officers from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK)," he said in a statement. He urged people with information on the escapees to contact the nearest police station or Jelebu district police headquarters at 06-6136222 or 06-6137999. Azizan said police were investigating the case under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code. He said the remaining escapees are aged between their 20s and 40s.
The Star
18-05-2025
- General
- The Star
First full-fledged rehab school opens
No one left behind: The new Puspen school in Karangan, Kedah. KARANGAN: The country's first school dedicated to addressing learning loss among young drug users has opened its doors in Kedah. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) courses were introduced at the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) learning facility this month. Welding, aircond repair and sewing modules by the National Youth Advance Skills Training Institute (IKTBN) and GiatMARA Nibong Tebal, are now being taught alongside formal classes at the school located in AADK's Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) Karangan. The school, which opened in December last year, offers structured learning of six Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) core subjects, namely Bahasa Melayu, English Language, Science, Mathematics, History and Islamic Studies or Moral Education. Zuraidah says approval was given to build the double-storey school block, complete with four classrooms, a computer lab and library, in 2021. A total of 75 drug users are currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at Puspen Karangan, which can accommodate up to 300 clients, said its director Zuraidah Ayob. Twenty-two are aged between 15 and 21. In addition, 17 will be sitting for the SPM this year under the guidance of four dedicated teachers, she said. 'We have 30 rehabilitation centres nationwide but this is AADK's first and only full-fledged school. 'Approval was given to build the double-storey school block complete with four classrooms, a computer lab and library in 2021. 'The school officially opened five months ago,' she said. Prior to the setting up of the school, youths under AADK's Client Education Access Programme (PAPK) were given the opportunity to study at selected centres. Introduced in 2015 to address learning loss, PAPK allows adolescents aged 18 and below to follow a structured learning timetable under the tutelage of teachers appointed under the Malaysia Short-Term Employment Programme. On April 24, AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said 25 SPM candidates who prepared for the exams under the PAPK programme sat for the 2024 exams at Puspen Seri Iskandar, Perak, and Papar, Sabah, had qualified for a certificate, having passed all the subjects they sat for.
