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Azalina: Drug Addicts Getting Younger

Posted on: Sunday, 12 February 2006, 21:00 CST

SHAH ALAM, Sat. - The country's drug addicts are getting younger.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said that nearly seven out of the 10 drug addicts in the country were those in the 13 to 39 age bracket.

"I know that you think it is 'cool', 'happening' to take drugs. Don't think that I don't know of your habits of taking drugs in discotheques. I know," she told a group of Universiti Teknologi Mara students, prompting a robust response from those attending the launch of Belia Benci Dadah (Youth Hate Drugs) billboard campaign.

The programme is sponsored by Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd. Some 2,000 billboards will be put up in public universities and private colleges to remind the young on the dangers of taking drugs.

Azalina also said that 79 per cent of the drug addicts were school dropouts.

"What is really sad is that almost 80 per cent of them are Malays."

She said one of the main reasons why the number of drug addicts among youths increased was because of peer pressure and encouragement to take drugs from their friends.

"They (youths) start off with self-rolled cigarettes, then they move on and try Ecstasy pills and before you know it, they are doing drugs for good."

Azalina said lecturers should take it upon themselves to guide their students.

Akademi Fantasia 3 champion Mawi also was on hand to deliver an anti-drug message.

"You choose, if you want to stay happy and prosperous then stay away from drugs," he said to loud cheers.

The programme is endorsed by the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Ministry of Higher Education. Also present was Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Yahya Jalil.

Source: New Straits Times

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