The trend among drug traffickers to use teenagers especially schoolchildren to distribute drugs, like ecstasy and syabu is because they are categorised as juveniles and would not face a heavy penalty.

Director of the Kedah National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), Mohammad Nazer Mustafa said this group of people, usually between the age of 12 and 18, are still immature and ignorant as compared to older ones who would be subject to heavier sentences if found guilty.

"We do not deny that this group is being used by drug traffickers, maybe because of poverty, since through this, they can get between RM50 and RM100 a day," he said after presenting school bags to 100 students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Haji Salleh Masri in Kuala Kedah here Tuesday.

Mohammad Nazer said statistics showed that of the 344 students who took the urine tests in all schools in the state, 80 percent were found to have taken syabu, and these statistics was worrying.

"I believe this situation is connected to the latest trend now where these drugs are easily available to students and teenagers.

"I therefore urge parents to always ensure their children are with them even at night, and to check who their friends are so that they would not mix with drug traffickers or addicts," he said.

He added that 13 hotspots had been identified in efforts to eradicate the drug menace in 2017, including Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Pokok Sena, Baling and Kulim.

"We will work with the Village Development and Security Committees, penghulu, imam and local leaders to wipe out the addict hide-outs," he said. -- Bernama