KAJANG: It is both impractical and difficult to carry out the proposed implementation of urine tests at concert venues, says National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.
He said urine screening to detect drug abuse would take time to complete and must be done properly.“We can conduct random tests, but concerts are usually held in big stadiums.
“For us to test everyone present is not practical,” he said at the agency’s monthly assembly yesterday.
The Selangor government previously said it would recommend that urine screening be made a standard procedure for concert attendees, to curb the use of drugs at such events held in the state.
This came following the deaths of four people who attended the Pinkfish Countdown 2024 concert in Petaling Jaya.
Ruslin said the agency is more focused on increasing its presence and enforcement efforts, as well as promoting anti-drug abuse messages at concert venues.
“I will meet with the event (concert) organisers to find the best solution. We do not want this industry to be associated with drug abuse, even though only a small number of people are responsible,” he said.
On drug abuse, Ruslin said the number of cases up to September last year showed a 31.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023, with 169,691 offenders identified.
He said individuals aged between 19 and 39 were most involved in drug abuse, with a total of 98,977 people from the age group detected.
“The most commonly abused drug, accounting for 70%, is amphetamine type stimulants (synthetic drugs) such as methamphetamine, Ecstasy and syabu, followed by opiate-type drugs,” Ruslin said, Bernama reported.
“The increase in synthetic drug abuse also requires a more aggressive and innovative approach from our side,” he added.
Ruslin said AADK was in the midst of drafting an Anti-Drug Communication Plan to widely disseminate accurate and up-to-date anti-drug abuse messages to help people suffering from drug and substance addiction.
