TANAH MERAH, Aug 19 ― Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the people to work with the authorities to fight drug-related activities in the country.

"The public must set aside their political affiliations as this is a problem of society and the country,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister. 

"Everyone in this country must be concerned about these activities and not leave it solely to the authorities,” he said.

He said parents especially had the responsibility of ensuring that their children did not get involved in drugs, he said in his address after Friday prayers here today.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is an Umno vice-president, attended a gathering with the people and opened the Jeli Umno Division delegates meeting at the Jeli Dakwah centre, Pondok Moden, here.

Ahmad Zahid said parents should also help curb the problem from the home as drugs could affect students as young as seven.

He said 58 per cent of the estimated 55,000 prisoners in the country were those involved in drug-related activities.

"They are either drug addicts or traffickers. The percentage is worrisome,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also urged Kelantan police to step up efforts to fight drug abuse, especially involving methamphetamine pills which are common in the state. ― Bernama