KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — The Dewan Negara was told today that 1,728 students in the country were found to be involved in ‘trying out’ drugs this year as at Dec 15.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the statistics comprising 1,716 boys and 12 girls were obtained from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and arrests made by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). 

"These students have undergone counselling and intervention programmes with the cooperation of the AADK,” he said in reply to Senator Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Sim wanted to know the statistics on drug misuse among students and initiatives to educate students against drugs.

Chong said the ministry had implemented the Drug Prevention Education Programme (PPDa) at all schools nationwide.

"The PPDa is implemented through four strategies involving management, curriculum, cocurriculum and personality development. It involved the ministry, AADK, PDRM, Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) and non-governmental organisations,” he added. — Bernama