There were a total of 131,841 drug users registered with the Home Ministry between January 2010 and February 2016. Based on the highest to lowest number of addicts per category, these are divided into three different age groups, as shown below:
The majority of drug abusers are young adults, or 93,044 individuals, who are between the ages of 20 and 39. Then proceeded adult drug users who were 40 years of age or older, making up a total of 29,355 people. Finally, there are 8,732 juveniles who are 19 years of age or younger. This group appears to be alarmingly expanding.
How is this possible?
How is it that despite great caution, harsh penalties for trafficking, and much greater public understanding, drugs are still overused and to such a greater extent than before? Given the efforts made to address this societal ill, it almost seems incomprehensible that things have turned out much worse than anticipated.
Influence of peers and curiosity
This element comes in first. Children are becoming more and more curious about topics that are beyond the norm in contemporary culture, and some are persuaded by their companions.
Family dynamics, parental style, connections within families, ambiance in homes, and financial situation.
Malaysia differs from other nations in that its youth are instilled with the values of respect and unwavering loyalty toward their seniors. As a consequence, if families adopt a drug culture as a result of financial difficulties, their children may do the same because they are unable to speak up for themselves.
Due to perfectionist demands, drug use as a coping strategy
As mentioned earlier, emerging adults who are under the intensely high pressure to forge their own path in life account for the biggest number of addicts rather than teenagers. A group like this includes professionals like college students and people employed in the elite, demanding, and competitive world of white-collar workers in corporations. These people turn to drugs for solace because they are driven to perfection in their career and by societal standards.
Opiates are the most widely abused narcotics in Malaysia, closely followed by cannabis and amphetamine-based stimulants like Adderall, which is a medication meant to treat people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
According to Malaysian legislation, those who have been identified as drug users are sent to mandatory rehabilitation and treatment programmes for two years. In accordance with the Malaysian Psychiatric Association, the authorities must spend an astounding RM300 million each year on rehabilitation programs, which average RM3,000 monthly for each addict.
There are ways to reduce the harmful consequences of peer pressure. emphasis on mandatory courses might be created by the government or schools to inform pupils of the harmful effects of drug usage and substance misuse. The Education Ministry, NADA, and NGOs will be able to reach out to larger audiences and spread information more efficiently if youths practise information-seeking and sharing.