Over 60 new drug addicts detected daily

Star: PENANG: An average of 60 new drug addicts are detected nationwide daily and something must be done to reduce the number, said National Anti-Drug Agency (NDA) director-general Datuk Hamzah Abdullah.
“Up till September this year, there were already more than 20,000 addicts on record. We expect the number this year to remain in the vicinity of 22,000 like last year.
“What’s also worrying is the increase in amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) addicts. Last year, they only accounted for 4% of the addicts but, to date, the percentage has increased five-fold to about 20%,” he said.
ATS, such as ecstasy and syabu (methamphetamine crystals), which is also known as ice, are popular among the youths and these synthetic drugs are usually taken in dance clubs,” he said.
Hamzah was speaking to reporters after opening the State NDA’s new office at the Bangunan Persekutuan in Anson Road here yesterday. Also present was state director Akmar Omar.
He said ATS was mainly made in China and smuggled into Malaysia via Thailand before being distributed to other countries, like Australia.
“Our checks revealed that ATS packages are sent here using courier companies. We randomly scanned packages arriving at the KL International Airport."
Hamzah said he just returned from a drug conference in Hanoi last week where it was agreed that all countries work closely to fight the scourge.