KOTA KINABALU: The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) is calling on more Malaysians to join its volunteer movement, saying public participation is crucial to achieving lasting success in the fight against drug abuse.
Its director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said combating drug abuse cannot be left solely to government agencies and enforcement authorities.
He urged the public to register as volunteers through skuad.aadk.gov.my or the SKUAD Antidadah mobile app as the agency restructures its volunteer movement.
Ruslin said drug abuse not only creates unease and social stigma within communities but also deprives the country of productive human capital and resources while driving up rehabilitation and enforcement costs.
He said greater community involvement would allow intervention and enforcement efforts to be better targeted at drug hotspots identified by residents themselves.
Ruslin also stressed the importance of educating children about the dangers of drugs from an early age to instil a lifelong rejection of substance abuse.
"We cannot wait for them to grow up before trying to instil awareness on this matter," he said during an event here on Sunday (Nov 8).
He suggested appointing children as young anti-drug ambassadors, expanding drug prevention and rehabilitation training, and encouraging schools to play a greater role in awareness programmes.
Ruslin said the agency had recorded an increase in volunteer membership this year, alongside an expansion of its outreach programmes.
These included sports activities, futsal, e-sports, drag racing, motorcycle convoys and World Cup 2026 match-viewing events aimed at attracting more young people while promoting anti-drug messages.
"Let us all come together to fight drug abuse and help spread a message of hope and positivity for those recovering from addiction," he said.
