Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today expressed the government's concern over the abuse of drugs among school children.
"Drug traffickers are now using students to become addicts so that the drug market can be lucrative," he said at a press conference after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Eradication of Drugs in Parliament Building here today.
He also referred to a study conducted by the Education Ministry involving 35,755 respondents, comprising students from Form One to Six which found 1,457 of them took drugs.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said 74 per cent of them took methamphetamine, 20 per cent cannabis and the rest other types of drugs.
According to him, the study also found that Form Five students recorded the highest percentage of students taking drugs at 40.6 per cent, followed by Form Four (32.5 per cent), Form Three (19.8 per cent), Form Two (5.4 per cent) and Form One (0.08 per cent).
"Of this total, Kedah had the highest number of students who tried drugs (274), followed by Kelantan (197), Perak (180) and the remainder the other states," said Ahmad Zahid.
He said that among the suggestions made at the meeting was to take steps to liquidate the confiscated assets of drug traffickers who have been sentenced by the courts.
"We confiscate the assets and property, and we apply to the court to liquidate and cash in the assets, and the proceeds of the sales can be used in prevention and rehabilitation," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the meeting also approved the proposal to set up a Special Laboratory for the Testing of Dangerous Drugs at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
On the proposal to set up a special court for drug-related cases, he said this had already been done, thus accelerating the trial and judgement process of the courts.
Bernama
Tue Oct 25 2016
He said 74 per cent of them took methamphetamine, 20 per cent cannabis and the rest other types of drugs.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.