SUBANG JAYA, 28 Oct: The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim called on all parties, including government agencies and the private sector, to work hard to combat drug abuse in the country.
Abdul Khalid said cooperation from all agencies involved would be able to realise the government’s desire to make Malaysia drug free by 2015.
“The period is too short and I will ask State Executive Councillors, together with the Coordinating Chairman of the Selangor National Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Malaysia (PEMADAM), Dr Abdul Rani Osman to work hard in providing support in implementation efforts to combat drugs and make Malaysia drug free.
“We must work together and provide support, especially in efforts to prevent, combat and eradicate drugs in Selangor and Malaysia,” he said.
Abdul Khalid said this in a speech at a dinner in conjunction with the 38th PEMADAM Annual General Assembly at the Summit Hotel here in USJ last night.
Also present was the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, the National PEMADAM President, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, state Exco, Rodziah Ismail and Dr Abdul Rani and over 5,000 PEMADAM members from around the country.
At the same time, Abdul Khalid expressed his confidence in the Selangor PEMADAM which is always striving to ensure that drug abuse can be controlled and eradicated.
He said the statics of drug abuse in Malaysia shows that the problem has increased and has led to an unhealthy sign.
“According to statistics, around 1.27 percent from 5.4 million students in the country are involved in disciplinary problems, including involvement in drugs, as of January till June 2011.
“Meanwhile, a total of 4,474 children, some as young as seven, have been arrested in various criminal cases, including 1,847 being school children.
“The report by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) found a total of 137 students in Institutes of Higher Learning are involved in drug abuse, especially in Selangor since January till April last year,” he said.