Drug abuse among youths a cause for concern — MP

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MIRI: Drug abuse, especially involving the youths, is a cause for concern among the rural community judging by the number of complaints received from parents and villagers who are seeking advice on how to tackle this menace.

In his comments, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni said since becoming a parliamentarian about seven months ago, he had received many complaints over the issue from concerned parents and villagers.

Lukanisman Awang Sauni

“I have also been made aware of the drug cases among students, especially those in secondary schools, after a number of them were positive for drugs after the urine tests were conducted.

“Though the number of students who tested positive is small, we worry that the number would increase if (the problem is) not contained,” he said.

According to him, the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) recently conducted a special operation to nab known drug abusers. For Subis District, a One-Stop Committee had been set up to look into and solve the problem of drugs and substance abuse.

Lukanisman said this when asked to comment about a news report, which stated that Sarawak topped the number of drug cases involving students.

On Friday, a national daily reported that AADK director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah said Sarawak had the most number of students who tested positive for drug use. He said there had been a trend leaning towards the use of methamphetamine, which accounted for 61 per cent of those who tested positive for the substance.

Elaborating on the issue, Lukanisman said AADK had also been training volunteers to help identify drug-related problems in local areas, and this had received encouraging response from community leaders as well as the public.

“Many drug pushers are going into village areas, as most villages are now easily accessible by good roads. Apart from that, the price of drugs like Syabu – which is easily obtained – is cheap.

“The reason (why) these students take drug is because of influence by their peers and also the urge to try, as well as the lack of awareness of the adverse effects of drugs,” he said.

Lukanisman added that persuasive friends and the need to blend in were also the contributing factors.

“Apart from that, the lack of social and sport activities in the rural areas is also a cause,” he pointed out, adding that the problem is also worrying in urban areas.

Lukanisman said he recently caught students taking cannabis at an area in Taman Tunku here. He gave them stern warning and some advice, before handing them over to their parents.

“Solving the drug problems is a joint responsibility and society must also be made aware of the matter.

“If there is uncontrolled addiction, the addicted children or friends must be handed over to AADK to undergo treatment.

“Rehabilitation centres such as Pengasih provide the right treatment and methods to help them overcome their addiction,” he said.

Lukanisman pointed out that drug usage could lead to many other social problems like marriage failures, thefts and various other crimes.

“In the last Parliament sitting, I mentioned in my budget debate that the government must be serious in tackling drug problems,” he said.