Drug abuse cases among students in secondary schools and higher education institutions in Penang have risen but police are monitoring the situation.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said 46 students, including three females, were involved in drug abuse last year, a significant increase compared to 21 students caught the previous year.
Tackling drug abuse must start at the grassroots level, particularly with schoolchildren, he added.
“Drug involvement often leads to other crimes, including illegal street racing, which can escalate to extreme behaviour.
“There is a clear correlation between illegal racing and drug abuse, as these races typically take place at night, with participants staying awake into the early hours.
“This lifestyle may drive some people to engage in drug use.
“We are taking drastic measures this year by enhancing awareness campaigns in schools and higher education institutions,” he said after launching the community policing drug prevention programme at Kepala Batas Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Penang.
The programme, organised by the state police’s Narcotic Criminal Investigation Department, was attended by some 200 students from both public and private higher education institutions, as well as members of the community.
The event featured over 30 exhibition booths taken up by agencies such as the police, Road Transport Department and other government bodies.
