PUTRAJAYA: Drug abuse among youths (aged between 16 and 39) from January to July this year has decreased by 15.4 per cent to 3,185 compared to the corresponding period last year, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.
She attributed the decline to the effectiveness of programmes carried out by the ministry in exposing parents on the dangers of drug abuse.
She was speaking to reporters after launching a forum on knowing adolescents and the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) with Pengasih here yesterday.
Rohani said parents should managed the gap between them and adolescents wisely as it greatly influenced family relationship, particularly in communication.
“Good communication and harmony in the family is a catalyst for love and family bonding.
“This will be easily achieved if parents understand and know adolescents personality and development,” she said, adding that parents should also become a role model and set good examples to their children.
Present were Women, Family and Community Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Noorul Ainur Mohd Nor, LPPKN chairman Tan Sri Napsiah Omar, Pengasih president Datuk Yunus Pathi and singer Datuk Jamal Abdillah.— Bernama