(Kuala Lumpur, 16th) Over 70% of those involved in drug abuse are between the ages of 18 and 45. The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) is strengthening the role of the National Anti-Drug Squad and expanding its lineup into colleges and universities to encourage more young people to join. At the same time, it is expanding its anti-drug initiative by establishing 'Junior Anti-Drug Squads' in schools.
The Deputy Director (Operations) of AADK, Zainuddin Abdullah, stated that the 'Junior Anti-Drug Squad' mainly trains students aged 10 to 17, enabling them to become partners of the anti-drug squad. By allowing young people to gain a deeper understanding of drug issues, it is hoped they can play a proactive role in their campuses and communities.
He said that, through training the new generation, anti-drug education can start from an early age so that they can take on preliminary responsibility for preventing drug abuse in school communities. When these youths turn 18, they can serve as the reserve force for the anti-drug squad.
He revealed that AADK is currently in the final stages of formulating the Junior Anti-Drug Squad curriculum, which will be used in the future to plan campus anti-drug activities, community service, and school awareness programs.
Zainuddin Abdullah said that with the guide provided by the curriculum, school anti-drug squads can carry out more anti-drug activities on campus under the supervision and management of teachers, through societies and other extracurricular activities.
He made these remarks to reporters after attending the 2025 National Anti-Drug Squad Gathering and Anti-Drug Squad Awards Night on Saturday evening. Also present was the National Anti-Drug Squad Chairman, Mohamad Shukri.
Zainuddin Abdullah said that, in addition to setting up Junior Anti-Drug Squads, the agency will also expand anti-drug squad membership to public and private universities, colleges, Form 6 pre-university classes, and vocational institutes.
He also mentioned that there are currently about 200,000 people registered as anti-drug squad members nationwide. As the anti-drug squad expands to schools and tertiary institutions, the authorities hope to encourage more young people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and avoid getting involved in drug abuse.
He emphasized that the participation of young people in the anti-drug squad is crucial, as over 70% of drug abusers are between the ages of 18 and 45.
He also stated that this year's anti-drug gathering and awards event incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of anti-drug advocacy by combining young people and AI.
He revealed that the authorities are developing an anti-drug mobile app, which is expected to be completed this year and promoted next year.
He said that the public can download and use the app to become members of the anti-drug squad, access anti-drug information, and promote anti-drug campaigns in the community. Through collaborations with various industries and companies, users can also accumulate points to redeem products or enjoy discounts.
He revealed that as of June this year, a total of 134,916 people nationwide were detected abusing or misusing drugs, an 8.8% decrease compared to the 148,015 cases in the same period last year. Kelantan recorded the highest with 758 drug users per 100,000 people, followed by Terengganu with 754, and Perlis with 731.