Youth problems need serious attention

Daily Express: Kota Kinabalu: The Second National Health and Morbidity Survey that was carried out nationwide five years ago showed that 13 per cent of our children and youths are facing psychiatric problems.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who disclosed this Saturday, said the same study also revealed a worrying trend among our adolescents engaged in drug abuse and smoking.
"The World Health Organisation (WHO) anticipates that 20 per cent of unexpected deaths among adults would be caused by high-risk behaviors that begin at youth.
"The possible social ills that our younger generations would get involved during their adolescence are drug addiction, consuming alcohol and engaging in unhealthy activities," he said, when launching the 4th National Symposium on Adolescent Health at Beverly Hotel, here. His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin.
Musa added that the WHO's definition of youths are those between the ages of 10 and 19, while the nation defines them within the ages of 12 and The two-day symposium with the theme "Adolescent Health - The Way Forward" in Sabah, the first in the State, was jointly organised by the Malaysia Medical Association (MMA), Ministry of Health (MOH), Federation of Family Planning Association Malaysia (FFPAM), Sabah Health Department, Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) and Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang.
Also present were MMA President, Datuk Dr Teoh Siang Chin, and Director of Family Health Development Division under the MOH, Dato' Dr. Narimah Awin.
Musa said the adolescents are now facing additional challenges of the cyber and ICT era which, among others, exposes them to cyber sex.
He said these new social problems are serious matters that need to be given extra attention by parents and leaders.
At the State level, Musa said, the State Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports is currently carrying out youth development programmes and introducing several strategies and measures that would benefit the youths.