The rising trend of drug addiction among Malaysian children, including those as young as 10 years old, is a a critical national concern, requiring urgent intervention from all levels of society.

To protect pre-teens and schoolchildren from falling victim to dangerous substances, often disguised as sweets or delivered via creative smuggling methods, Wanita MCA proposes six key strategies for implementation:

1. Anti-Narcotics Education in Schools and Preschools

Introduce structured drug prevention modules in both primary schools and preschools. Teachers must be trained to detect early signs and respond appropriately.

2. Parental Awareness and Support Programmes

Launch national parenting workshops to equip parents and guardians with the knowledge to prevent addiction at home especially in high-risk states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, and Kedah.

3. Community Drug Watch Groups

The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and the Ministry of Youth and Sports could collaborate in a joint effort to establish local Juvenile Drug Watch Committees to monitor drug-related activity near schools, parks, and housing areas, encouraging proactive community involvement.

4. In-School Rehabilitation and Counselling

Prioritise a rehabilitation-first approach over punishment. Schools should partner with National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) to provide counselling, treatment, and reintegration support for young users and engagement with minors at-risk to prevent substance abuse.

5. Stricter Penalties for Targeting Minors

Enforce stronger legal action against those who exploit or recruit children into drug use or to act as mules given the protections accorded to children under the Child Act. Laws must reflect the seriousness of using or experimenting on minors. Perpetrators must be charged with child abuse and criminal negligence, punishable under existing laws.

6. Nationwide Coordination and Accountability

Align efforts between AADK, the Ministries mentioned above, NGOs, and local leaders under the national anti-drug strategy guided by AADK’s 2026–2030 roadmap.

Despite poverty, unemployment, or personal stress, no parent or guardian should ever turn to drugs, as this sets a damaging example to underaged persons. Equally unacceptable are adults who “experiment” with drugs on children to see their reaction.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that Malaysia recorded a 32.5% increase in drug addiction cases, with figures rising from 436 addicts per 100,000 people in 2023 to 586 in 2024. As of June 2025, the number already stands at 396 per 100,000 people.

Tee Hooi Ling
Wanita MCA National Deputy Chairperson

26 September 2025

-MCA Comm-