Agensi antidadah kebangsaan kementerian dalam negeri

INTRODUCTION
In many countries, drug abuse is no longer a common issue. In fact, drug
abuse has become the most serious and contagious problem that affects
all countries and all levels of society (DSP Dzuraidi Ibrahim, 2002). The
most worrisome aspect of this issue is that drug abuse has overpowered
quite a number of adolescents in our society. Here, "adolescent" refers
to the student population aged between 11 to 18 years old (Papalia &
Olds, 1998).
Due to this, the Malaysian government launched an Anti-Drug
Campaign at the national level on 19th February 1983. This campaign
was carried out because of three foreseeable risks: (i) drug addiction
may reach an epidemic level if there was no strict law and enforcement
carried out to prevent its spread; (ii) the target group of drug addiction
is mainly youths and adolescents who are the country's future leaders
and the hope of the nation; and (iii) the addiction and distribution of
drugs have affected the harmony and security of the country
economically, socially, and politically (Ee Ah Meng, 1997).
However, there seemed to be a lack of response from the
community in helping to prevent this social ill. As a result, the government
has taken an aggressive measure by declaring the year 2003 as the year
for seriously combating the drug abuse problem. The theme for the year
was Perangi Dadah Habis-habisan.
Statistical report showed that in 1970, there were 711 drug addicts
in our country (Ee Ah Meng, 1997). However, the number kept on
increasing as the years went by, as shown in Table 1. Current data from
the statistical report in 2003 showed that there was a substantial increment
in the number of drug addicts with a total number of 36,996 drug addicts
all together (Sistem Maklumat Dadah Kebangsaan -NADI, 2003).
A total of 695 adolescents below the age of 18 were involved in
drug abuse. The distribution of these addicts according to their levels of
education is tabulated in Table 2. Based on this data, it is expected that
the number will increase if no proper measures are taken.

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Demographic Determinants of Drug Abuse Problem
Among Secondary School Students in an Urban Area