AADK EXPANDS ANTI-DRUG VOLUNTEER SQUAD TO SCHOOLS THROUGH ‘SKUAD JUNIOR’

BUTTERWORTH, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) is empowering the role of its anti-drug volunteer group SKUAD Anti-dadah (anti-drug squad) nationwide, by expanding the initiative to schools through the establishment of SKUAD Junior (junior squad).

AADK deputy director-general (Operations) Zainudin Abdullah said SKUAD Junior is a platform to train students aged 10 to 17 to become anti-drug squad friends, thereby shaping a drug-aware younger generation who can contribute within their respective school communities in early drug or substance abuse prevention efforts.

“Through this effort, we hope they will become future members of the anti-drug squad once they reach the age of 18,” he told reporters after attending an appreciation ceremony held in conjunction with the 2025 national-level Anti-Drug Squad Gathering here tonight.

Also present was National Anti-Drug Squad president Maj. (Rtd.) Mohamad Shukri Che Wang.

Zainudin said to date, 32 schools have established SKUAD Junior and AADK is also expanding SKUAD Antidadah membership to public and private higher learning institutions, as well as matriculation and vocational colleges, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE).

Zainudin stressed that youth involvement in the anti-drug squad is crucial, given that more than 70 per cent of individuals involved in drug abuse are youths between the ages of 18 and 45.

Meanwhile, he said as of June this year, 134,916 cases of drug addicts and substance abuse were recorded nationwide, a decrease of 8.8 per cent compared to 148,015 cases during the same period last year.

Kelantan recorded the highest rate per 100,000 population at 758 individuals, followed by Terengganu with 754, and Perlis with 731.

-- BERNAMA