PETALING JAYA: Lack of parental guidance is seen as a contributing factor in the rise of drug dependents among youth, said National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) director-general Datuk Suhaimi Abdullah.

He said between January and November last year, the agency has recorded a whopping 10,547 new drug dependents, an increase of 66 compared to 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.

“What makes it worrying is the fact that December’s figure is still being compiled and already, there is an increase.

“In 2012, the number of drug dependents was 180 lesser than in 2013,” he told reporters at a press conference Tuesday.

Suhaimi added that Sentul was identified as the most critical, followed by Cheras.

“Among other hotpots include PPR Taman Maluri, PPR Pulu Ulu, Flat Sri Sabah, Lorong Ikan Emas, Flat Sri Melaka, Flat Sri Pulau Pinang, Flat Sri Johor, Flat Sri Kota, Bandar Tun Razak, PPR Desa Tun Razak and PPR Kampung Muhibbah.

“We will be stationing our officers in the areas to do round the clock checking and monitoring,” he said.

On Monday, a total of 69 individuals aged between 15 and 68 were picked up in a four-hour long operation in Cheras.

About 30 officers were planted in 11 locations to monitor and pick up drug dependents before a urine test was conducted at the agency’s headquarters in Taman Shamelin Perkasa.

Suhaimi revealed that in the latest operation, 32 detainees were detained under Section 3(1) of the Drug Dependents (Treatment And Rehabilitation) Act 1983, 22 under Section 8(3), and 14 under Section 6 (2) of the same act.

Out of the figure, 26 detainees were tested positive for morphine, 17 on cannabis, 10 amphetamine-type stimulants while another three were positive for methamphetamine.

Last year, 209 were detained by the agency for drug abuse.

Resource: The Star