Growing drug abuse among students needs urgent intervention

 

RECENT reports involving schoolchildren as young as 12 in drug abuse cases should serve as a serious wake-up call for all parties, said Wanita MCA national deputy chairperson Tee Hooi Ling.

Her remarks come amid growing concern over drug abuse among Malaysian youths. Earlier this year, authorities reported an increase in cases involving school-going children, particularly teenagers aged between 13 and 18, with synthetic drugs and vape-related substances among the major concerns.

Several recent incidents involving students collapsing in schools and youths being linked to drug-related activities have also heightened public anxiety over the issue.

“Minors exposed to drugs at a young age face serious mental and emotional consequences, including depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and long term trauma,” Tee stated.

As such, she urged schools, parents, communities, and the government to work together more proactively to address the growing problem and protect the younger generation.

According to Tee, teachers should pay closer attention to students with frequent absences or prolonged inactivity in the classroom, as such patterns could indicate deeper issues.

“While teachers may not be able to focus on every student at all times, those with consistently poor attendance should not be neglected,” she said.

She added that educators should also be alert to warning signs associated with possible drug abuse, including sudden weight loss, slurred speech, behavioural changes, and poor grooming habits.

Tee also suggested that schools consider conducting home visits in cases where students continue to be absent without proper explanation or when parents fail to respond to school inquiries.

She said such visits could help teachers better understand a student’s family and socioeconomic background, including possible neglect or difficult home environments that may contribute to early exposure to drugs.

“As a community, we share responsibility in shaping the future of our children,” she added.

Tee further called for more impactful anti-drug awareness programmes in schools, saying conventional slideshow presentations alone were insufficient.

“School authorities should conduct a school-level anti-drug day and do an expo on the complications and dangers of the addiction through simulation displays such as lung jar displays for mushroom vaping awareness and how the chemical will react in the body and its consequences,” she suggested.

At the same time, she stressed the importance of strengthening counselling support for students struggling with addiction or emotional distress.

“Punishing and neglecting students with addiction issues will not help them recover,” she remarked.

Tee noted that some students may turn to drugs because of bullying, family problems, or poverty, adding that counselling teachers could play an important role in guiding affected students, addressing bullying issues, and helping families access available aid schemes.

“The rise in drug abuse among schoolchildren is not merely a disciplinary issue but a growing social crisis,” she warned.

“Schools, parents, guardians, communities, NGOs, and the government must work together urgently to protect our children and secure their future.” ‒  Focus Malaysia